Chapter 14:Crops

After the blissful night, Ethan called Oliver, Nina, and Sophia together to discuss their next steps.

He had crafted the designs and wanted to sell them, but they needed a proper way to do it. If possible, Ethan hoped to create his own brand, yet for that they lacked money, resources, and skilled people.

Oliver and Nina studied the drawings with focused expressions.

"It’s so complex. I don’t understand much," Oliver admitted, putting the design down.

Nina snorted at him before praising Ethan’s skill, which made Sophia smile with pride.

’See? I told you my husband is the best,’ she thought. Ethan looked at them seriously. "I’ve called you all to hear your suggestions. I don’t know much about merchants or designers we could contact. Any ideas?"

Oliver and Nina shook their heads and glanced at Sophia. "I know some," Sophia said, "but they’re all small-time."

Ethan nodded at the thought. "That’s not bad. The bigger ones might ignore us, but we can work with the smaller ones and grow together."

Sophia then asked, "How do you want to sell?" Ethan explained that it depended on pricing and negotiations.

"How is the purchasing power of upper-class women?" he asked. Sophia thought for a moment.

"I usually spend about one gold on a normal dress and around ten for something special. A viscountess or countess can spend anywhere between a hundred and five hundred.

As for a duchess, I don’t know, but they can likely get whatever they want." Ethan made a mental note. "Then here’s an idea. Instead of selling the design outright, we can partner with them for a share.Let’s say ten percent of the profit. But for that, we need a trademark. Otherwise, others might claim it."

Sophia reassured him. "Don’t worry. Noble goods have exclusive trademarks. We just need to file a petition with the duchy officers. It’s quick, except for the travel."

Her words eased his concerns, knowing that copyright issues could be a nightmare. "So, who should go? Or should I go by myself?"

Ethan asked.

"No, darling, leave this to me," Sophia said.

Oliver and Nina agreed. "The lady is the right choice. She knows the duchy well from her visits," Oliver added.

Sophia turned to Ethan. "Do you want to come with me?"

Ethan’s eyes glowed.He had been cooped at the place.As for the travels he had done when he arrived,he was too tense and shocked to move around.

Ethan paused, considering, then shook his head. "Not now. I need to handle some things, and we can’t leave Ray alone."

Sophia nodded in understanding. "Yes, Ray is still too young. Let’s travel when he’s older."

The next day, the Blank estate was in chaos as people rushed about, busy with their tasks.

Ethan hugged Sophia, feeling her soft curves, and said softly, "I will miss you."

Sophia leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "I will miss you too. Also, in my absence, you can choose a beautiful maid to serve you."

Ethan’s lips twitched, and he flicked her forehead. "Stop with these naughty thoughts."

Then he walked over to Randall.

The roads between cities were dangerous, with the risk of bandit or beast attacks, so his wife needed proper protection.

"Sir Randall, please take care of Sophia," Ethan said.

"Of course I will," Randall replied, thumping his chest with confidence.

Moments later, after their goodbyes, the entourage moved away.

Ethan felt a hollow ache in his heart. Having grown used to Sophia’s cheerfulness, his day already felt dull without her. To distract himself, he decided to take a tour around Blank.

He went to the agricultural fields with Oliver.

The golden stalks swayed gently in the wind, their tips glistening under the sun. Rows of wheat and maize stretched far into the horizon, while smaller patches of millet rustled softly.

The air smelled fresh, mixed with the earthy scent of soil. Farmers worked in the fields with steady movements, their clothes simple and worn from hard labor.

When they noticed Ethan, they straightened and greeted him warmly.

"Good day, Sir Ethan!" one farmer called out, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Good day," Ethan replied with a smile. "How is the harvest this year?"

"Quite good, sir," another farmer said. "The rains were kind to us."

"I’m glad to hear that. Is everyone’s household doing well?"

"Yes, sir," a few of them answered, some nodding while others smiled faintly.

Ethan crouched down and scooped up a handful of soil, letting it crumble between his fingers. He felt its texture carefully.

"The most common crops here are millet, maize, and wheat," Oliver explained. "We rotate them according to the season. They are our main product."

Ethan looked up and asked, "Can any other crops be grown here?"

His question made both Oliver and the farmers pause.

"Any other crops...? We don’t think so," one farmer replied slowly.

Ethan frowned slightly. "How did you decide to keep farming these crops?"

"That’s because they have simply been grown here for generations," Oliver answered.

Their response left Ethan a little unsettled. "Have you tried growing exotic fruits or vegetables?"

Now that he thought about it, most meals here were bread, meat, stew, porridge, and eggs.

Vegetables were rare.Hell,he hadn’t even eaten potatoes and tomatoes here.

With meat,he didn’t find anything missing but as a star whose guilty pleasures were fried foods he was carving to contain the itches.

Oliver adjusted his spectacles. "They grow in particular regions. I don’t think we can grow them here."

Ethan almost argued, but he swallowed his words. These people don’t realize that vegetables can grow in many different conditions.

To find out, he needed to test the soil’s acidity or alkalinity.

He turned to Oliver. "Sir Oliver, do one thing. Order people to collect soil samples from different parts of Blank territory, and make sure each one is labeled."

Oliver blinked. "Sir, may I know what you will do with it?"

Ethan smiled faintly. "I will show you a bit of magic."