The sophisticated wooden box was positioned on the big table, and the Duke's office was filled with interest as it arrived. Duke Jason Lysander, the esteemed ruler of the wealthy Lysander Duchy, where Azure Valley is located, looked at the box with a mix of interest and wonder.
As the benevolent leader of one of the most thriving domains in the Kingdom of Aethelgard, Jason had long been the subject of envy among his noble peers. This is only made worse by the existence of the known sorceress, Sienna-Rose Miller, who had chosen to make Azure Valley her home.
Whispers of Sienna-Rose's plan to her unwillingness to depart from the region had only fueled the jealousy of the other nobles, who coveted the prestige and influence of her association as a sorceress.
Yet, Jason was no ordinary noble. He had a reputation as one of the kindest and most fair rulers in the kingdom because he always looked out for the well-being of his people. Which is why Sienna-Rose didn't want to move out from the territory, and besides, Azure Valley is rich in minerals, even when it's close to the monster source.
Duke Lysander always ensured that his people were well-fed and protected, levying reasonable taxes that allowed the citizens of his duchy territory to thrive, as opposed to the heavy-handed policies of some of his less benevolent neighbours.
Turning to his trusted assistant, Damian, Jason posed the question that had been weighing on his mind. "Why did the sorceress send me this?"
Damian, with a respectful bow, replied, "She mentioned, Your Grace, that these are a new production—something she believes will even captivate the heart of the King himself."
Jason's brow arched in intrigue, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Oho, is that so?" he mused, his mind already racing with the implications of this exclusive gift. "Summon my wife and son at once. We shall sample these rare vintages together as a family and perhaps consider how best to share this bountiful offering with the kingdom."
The Duke, Duchess, and their son gathered around the ornate box; they were waiting anxiously as Damian carefully removed the first bottle. Because it's not every day the sorceress is sending them gifts.
"Let us begin with the rosé wine; this is what it's written on the label," Damian announced, pouring the delicate, pale pink liquid into their glasses.
As they put the glasses to their lips, the flavours came out in a beautiful way. The Grenache added a light, honeyed sweetness that was perfectly matched by a crisp acidity, making the blend work well together. The addition of the strawberry flavour heightened the wine's fruitiness, imbuing it with a lush, vibrant character.
"Exquisite," the Duchess breathed, her eyes widening in delight. "I never tasted a wine as rich as this."
"Yes, wife, this is an entirely new taste. How can such a wine taste like this?" The Duke said, amused.
"Father, let's try the rest." The Duke's heir, Alessander, seems more excited than his parents.
Next, Damian unveiled a deep, garnet-hued red wine. "This is a merlot."
"Not a red wine?" The Duke asks.
"A red wine, your grace, but the label stated that it's Merlot." Damian said.
The three nobles take the new glass filled with Merlot; the servants keep on changing the glass with the new one. Once they taste it, "this is unlike any other red wine; it's bolder, more complex, and I can taste ripe blackberries and a hint of mocha and vanilla," he described, enjoying the red liquid.
As the Duke, Duchess, and their son savoured the wine, they were struck by its velvety, almost creamy texture, which gave way to a long, lingering finish accented by subtle herbs and a touch of oak.
"Truly magnificent," the Duke proclaimed, nodding in approval.
The third bottle revealed a lighter, ruby hue. "What's next?" Alessander asked excitedly, his unfamiliarity with wine palpable.
"The usual wines always struck me as cloying, either too sweet or too tart, and they invariably left a lingering bitterness, even a burning sensation," he continued, a hint of surprise in his voice. "But these... these are remarkably clean and refreshing."
"This is another red wine, it said, Barbera on the label." Damian starts to open the bottle and pour it into a new wine glass.
The Barbera exhibits flavours of tart red cherries, blackberries, and subtle spices. It has a lively, refreshing character with moderate tannins, making it a food-friendly choice.
The wine danced across their palates, its delicate structure balanced by a refreshing acidity that cleansed the senses. The Duchess let out a soft hum of delight, savouring the wine's subtle complexities.
"A remarkable vintage," she commented, "one that would complement a roasted pheasant perfectly."
They taste the other three types of wine, and the Duke loves the bold taste of Merlot, while the Duchess loves the rosé wine, and the young master loves the fresh and sweet Riesling.
"Truly a masterpiece," the Duke proclaimed, his eyes shining with delight.
The family exchanged eager glances, their palates enchanted by the sorceress's remarkable creations. It was clear that these wines weren't just the work of a skilled winemaker; they were also the result of Sienna-Rose's deep knowledge of the elements, which gave each vintage a captivating, almost otherworldly flavour.
"I shall pay a visit to the sorceress's estate." The Duke said, "Damian, get me a paper to write a letter to her."
-
Meanwhile, Sienna-Rose sat comfortably in the cosy embrace of the library, the warm glow of the fireplace casting flickering shadows across the room. Gathered around her were her four devoted wives, each of them relishing the exquisite wines that had become a hallmark of Sienna-Rose's craftsmanship.
Among them, Olivia, whose passion for wine had consumed much of her life, marvelled at the clarity and freshness of the vintage Sienna-Rose had produced that very morning—a wine unlike any she had ever tasted.
Breaking the comfortable silence, Olivia's voice emerged softly, laced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Wife," she began, her gaze searching Sienna-Rose's face for affirmation.
"Yes?" Sienna-Rose replied, gently placing the book she had been reading—a book about the Aethelgard Kingdom and its noble inhabitants—onto her lap.
"Do you really give me permission to manage the winery?" Olivia asked, her words hesitant, as though she feared the answer might not align with her hopes.
Sienna-Rose's expression shifted to one of encouragement as she nodded. "Yes, my love. You can oversee the winery—the design of the label, the name, everything. Even the finances. That's why I asked you to share the estate's financial responsibilities with Haley."
A radiant smile broke across Olivia's face, her joy palpable. "Truly?"
"Of course," Sienna-Rose replied, her tone light. "But remember, this doesn't justify you becoming an alcoholic! I know how much you adore wines," she added with a playful laugh, which made Olivia chuckle in response.
"Of course!" Olivia affirmed, her excitement bubbling over. "Will you tell Simmons?"
Sienna-Rose's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious demeanour as she regarded her four wives, their loyal faces awaiting her words. "Listen, my dears. You four are my wives—my cherished partners. Simmons is merely a butler. You, on the other hand, are the mistress of this estate. He cannot control you. You are free to pursue your passions and desires."
Sienna-Rose continued, her eyes sparkling with determination. "And I want you to give the sole distribution rights for our wines to Sophia. She inherited a merchant guild from her father, and I want you to utilise it for our estate's products. Distribute exclusively through her and disregard any other merchants who come to this estate. Claire, I trust you can handle that?"
Claire, who had been unusually quiet, felt a wave of warmth at Sienna-Rose's words, though her humble background made her feel inferior to the others. "Oh, yes, I can," she replied, a hint of newfound confidence emerging in her voice.
"Excellent," Sienna-Rose said, her tone gentle yet commanding. "You will be responsible for all the merchants that visit our estate. For the winery, liaise with Olivia; for the creamery, learn from Simmons; and for the house, consult with Claire. Also, you should manage the inn as you were always there; please ensure that only our wine is sold there. I will also create a more affordable wine for the commoner to enjoy. Can you manage all that?" she asked, her eyes softening as she recognised Claire's insecurities.
The warmth of encouragement ignited Claire's spirit, illuminating her previously downtrodden expression. Olivia smiled and offered Claire a gentle pat on the back. "Yes, I can do it, dear." Claire said softly, shy.
"Wonderful! And you hear that, Sophia? It's time to revitalise your family's merchant guild and run it with pride," Sienna-Rose said, her smile returning. However, Sophia merely nodded, tears brimming in her eyes as she felt the weight of the moment overwhelm her, all the happiness and knowing that she could revive her parent's merchant business. Haley, sensing her emotions, enveloped her in a tight embrace.
"Your lessons will commence tomorrow, Haley. Prepare for winter," Sienna-Rose instructed, her voice filled with authority and affection as the youngest nodded earnestly.
Before the four wives could voice their concerns, Sienna-Rose's lips curled into a reassuring smile. With a graceful flick of her wrist, she conjured a shimmering magic circle that materialised in the air before them, its intricate patterns glowing with an otherworldly light. "I understand your worries, my beloveds," she began, her voice calm and steady. "Let it be known that no one within this estate shall utter a word about our winemaking process—whether in writing or in speech. Anyone who dares to divulge our secrets or attempts to sell the process will face dire consequences." She paused, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. "Is that sufficient?"
"Yes," Sophia replied, her voice firm and resolute as she spoke faster than the others, a spark of determination igniting within her.
As Sienna-Rose channelled her magic, the circle expanded, growing larger and more radiant until it enveloped the entire estate, wrapping around the workers' houses like a protective barrier.
Olivia watched in awe, a tremor of disbelief coursing through her. "Since when have you become this powerful?" she asked, her voice tinged with trepidation.
"Since I awoke," Sienna-Rose answered, her tone serene yet imbued with an undeniable strength.