Chapter 104: Water Moon Manor

On the afternoon of his return to Windsor Castle, Vaelin once again visited his father’s study.

"Vaelin, here is some information on estates that meet your criteria. You may choose one to serve as your private property within the Eagle Territory." Angus handed Vaelin several sheets of paper, leaving the decision to him.

Vaelin took the papers and carefully reviewed the details. They recorded the locations, profitability, staffing, and various outputs of each estate. After observing the documents for over ten minutes, Vaelin finally selected one located at the northern edge of Moonshadow County called the Watermoon Estate.

"Tomorrow, I will have Winster register Watermoon Estate under your name. The family will not interfere with how you choose to manage it."

"Thank you, Father."

"No need to thank me; it is what you deserve," Angus said, looking at Vaelin with a slight shake of his head.

"Father, do you have any resources that could help me establish ties with the military of the Kube Kingdom?" Vaelin asked, looking up at Angus.

"I do not, but my sister, Aunt Mialy, the Countess of Bloodmoon, should have connections with the Kube military. You can travel to Tonks Province to visit her." Angus did not ask for the reason behind his request.

"I understand, Father."

"How long until you leave?"

"A few days."

"When will you return?"

"I am not sure. Perhaps three or five years, perhaps over a decade."

"Before you leave, spend more time with your mother. Do not be reckless when facing challenges; have patience. No matter what happens, we are your steadfast backing."

"I know, Father."

Lost in thought, Vaelin left the study. Over the next week, he remained at Windsor Castle to accompany his mother. Warm times, however, are always fleeting.

Outside Windsor Castle, Vaelin looked toward his father and mother standing on the ramparts. He waved a final farewell, then urged his red-phosphor horse forward, setting off toward Watermoon Estate in Moonshadow County. After two days of travel, Vaelin presented his father’s written orders, along with the documents signed by the High Administrator of Moonshadow County, and formally took ownership of Watermoon Estate.

"Young Master Vaelin, allow me to introduce the basic situation of Watermoon Estate," said Rocas, the estate steward, bowing respectfully.

"Proceed," Vaelin replied with a nod.

"Watermoon Estate covers three thousand acres and has a history of one hundred and eighty years. I am the ninth steward of this estate, and I have managed it for eighteen years."

"Currently, the estate employs three thousand two hundred and thirty-five people. We have three hundred and fifty horses, three wineries, six warehouses, and two thousand five hundred acres of vineyards."

"The estate’s primary business is wine production. We produce two hundred and ten thousand bottles of Watermoon wine annually. After providing ten thousand bottles to the family, the remaining two hundred thousand are sold to the family-run Eagle Chamber of Commerce for three silver coins per bottle, generating a profit of sixty thousand gold coins. After accounting for costs and wages, the net profit is twenty-five thousand gold coins."

"I am not here to strip you of your management authority. Continue operating as you have been; there is no need for major changes."

"Yes, Young Master Vaelin," Steward Rocas replied, his expression remaining composed, though he felt a wave of relief.

"Over the next few days, clear twenty acres of land. I intend to plant a specific crop there."

"I will see it done as soon as possible, Young Master."

Vaelin and Kael then followed Steward Rocas to their quarters. Vaelin felt no concern about Rocas embezzling or selling off assets; the intelligence network at his father's disposal was not to be trifled with. If one were to steal today, one would lose their head tomorrow. Furthermore, the Ekes Family treated their servants well, and with such a sword hanging over their heads, the staff naturally worked with dedication and diligence.

On the third day at the estate, Rocas waited outside Vaelin’s residence. Seeing him emerge, he stepped forward to report, "Young Master, the twenty acres have been prepared."

"Take me there."

Vaelin had Kael retrieve his storage book from the room, then followed Rocas to the site. Looking at the newly erected fences, Vaelin found himself giving the middle-aged steward a second look.

"Well done."

"It is my honor to serve you."

Vaelin took the storage book from Kael, tore off the final page, and cast it onto the open ground. Within moments, two towering luminous grapevines wrapped around the trellises, their massive forms occupying nearly an acre of land.

"Rocas, I hear your son is attending the Knight Academy this year."

"Yes, Young Master Vaelin," Rocas replied, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"These two plants are my treasures. As long as you care for them well, in five years, I will write a letter of recommendation for your son to attend knight-squire training at Windsor Castle."

"Thank you, Young Master Vaelin! Thank you, Young Master Vaelin!" Rocas dropped to his knees, his eyes brimming with tears of gratitude.

"Rise."

Rocas scrambled to his feet, brushed the dirt from his clothes, and stood respectfully to the side.

"These two plants are now under the care of Watermoon Estate. Tend to them well. Each year, process the harvested grapes into wine and send them to the Eagle Chamber of Commerce; you need not concern yourself with anything else."

"As you command, sir."

Due to the harsh growing conditions required by the luminous grapes, Vaelin could only plant them here, using his family’s trade routes to transport the harvest to the provincial capital of West River Province, where he would send men to retrieve them annually.

Vaelin stayed at the estate for a few more days to monitor the growth of the vines. During this time, Rocas exhausted every effort to please Vaelin, anticipating his every need in hopes of leaving a deep impression and ensuring he would not be forgotten.

A week after arriving at Watermoon Estate, seeing that the luminous grapes were thriving, Vaelin prepared to depart for Tonks Province to visit the Countess of Bloodmoon. He aimed to open up a trade route for ice-blue potions and earn a significant profit.

After Vaelin’s departure, Rocas let out a long sigh of relief. Patting his eight-year-old son on the head, he said solemnly, "Anthony, your father had good luck this time. I encountered a great figure from the family and fought hard to secure this opportunity for you."

"Father, with your status and my talent, if I train diligently for these five years, I would have a chance to go to Windsor Castle anyway. Why did you go to such lengths?"

"You will understand in time. For these next five years, train hard and do not let your father’s painstaking efforts go to waste."

"Father, I will make you proud."

"It is not about making me proud; it is for your own sake and for our family. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Father."

Young Anthony nodded solemnly.

Upon arriving at the provincial capital of West River Province, Vaelin paid seven hundred gold coins to use the teleportation array, heading south toward the border region of Tonks Province.