Building A Business Empire From Scratch In Another World

The Diamond Vine – Private Tasting Room.

The is walls draped in black velvet, absorbing every sound and flicker of light, creating a silence so profound that it seems the outside world has vanished entirely.

The only source of illumination is a single floating orb, capturing the essence of moonlight and casting ethereal shadows across an elegant table where two men sit, Felix and a figure clad in shimmering silver.

Meet Prince Lysander Solaris, the 18th in line for the Avalonian throne.

He swirls his untouched Moonlit Mirage with an air of indifference, his striking violet eyee, the legendary Amethyst Gaze, fixed on Felix's impassive expression.

"Let's cut through the theatrics," Lysander says smoothly, his voice flowing like fine wine. "You didn't bring me here to chat about vintages."

Felix leans back casually, his golden cane resting against the table. "No, I invited you to discuss thrones."

A beat of silence hangs in the air.

Then Lysander lets out a sharp laugh devoid of humor. "Thrones? My throne?" His fingers tighten around the glass as if it were a lifeline.

"You're either mad or suicidal. I'm the weakest son my father has. My 'kingdom' is merely a drafty wing of the palace where even servants forget my name."

Felix doesn't flinch. "And yet you came."

Lysander's smile fades into seriousness. "Because your man mentioned the Maywraiths."

Felix nods knowingly. "House Maywraith commands the largest private army outside of Crown control. Their trade networks stretch across three kingdoms and one empire,and they despise your eldest brother."

"Everyone hates Darius," Lysander mutters bitterly, "but hatred alone doesn't win wars."

"True," Felix agrees with conviction. "But this does."

He slides a small obsidian box across the table, revealing a single parchment, a list brimming with names.

Lysander scans it quickly; his pulse quickens with realization. "These are...?"

"Nobles who've secretly funded rebel factions in the western provinces," Felix explains coolly.

"Enough proof to have them executed for treason, or leverage enough to turn them into your allies."

The prince's breath catches in his throat. "How did you...?"

"Irrelevant," Felix interrupts softly but firmly as he taps on the list again. Present this to the patriarch of the Maywraith Noble Family, and he'll support you, if only to spite Darius."

Lysander leans forward now, eyes glinting with newfound ambition as he adopts a predatory gaze. "And what does the great Felix Morningstar want? Gold? Titles?"

Felix smiles knowingly but enigmatically: "Nothing so crude."

Felix flashed a confident smile. "Nothing so crude," he replied, producing a second document, a vibrant map of Astheria with specific districts boldly marked in red.

"I want these neighborhoods rezoned as 'free trade districts.' No noble interference, no guild monopolies, just pure, unadulterated commerce."

Lysander blinked in disbelief. "You're asking me to dismantle centuries of feudal law."

"I'm urging you to modernize a decaying system," Felix countered, his eyes sparkling with ambition!.

"Picture this: you secure the throne with the backing of merchants, and in return, you unleash true economic potential. The Crown's coffers would overflow within a year!"

A log cracked in the fireplace, its warmth contrasting sharply with the tension in the room.

Outside the velvet walls, a clock chimed midnight, a reminder that time was slipping away.

Lysander exhaled sharply and downed his wine in one swift gulp. "You're either a visionary or the most dangerous man in Avalonia," he said, rising to his feet and straightening his silver robes.

"I'll consider your proposal. But know this,if this is some elaborate trap, I won't be the only one who falls."

Felix stood as well, extending his hand confidently. "Then we understand each other."

For what felt like an eternity, Lysander hesitated before finally clasping Felix's wrist, a gesture steeped in respect and equality rather than hierarchy.

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Morningstar Family Estate – Secret Room: Beneath The Mansion

Hidden sanctum beneath the Morningstar estate, a chamber steeped in mystery and secrets.

Its walls are adorned with enchanted soundproofing runes that pulse softly in the flickering candlelight, creating an atmosphere thick with intrigue.

At the center of this clandestine space stands a circular table made of polished blackwood, upon which a massive map of Avalonia sprawls like a treasure waiting to be uncovered.

Felix, the mastermind of this gathering, stands at the head of the table with his white overcoat tossed aside and sleeves rolled up. His golden cane rests across the map, its tip ominously pointing toward Solaris Palace.

Around him sat Jarvis and the others.

Zephyr, lounging in his chair like a lazy panther, meticulously cleaning his daggers.

Nixie perched on the edge of the table, swinging her legs with barely contained impatience.

Gwendolyn her ice-blue eyes inscrutable as she traces frost patterns on her glass.

Brixton sat arms crossed and brow furrowed in thought.

Jarvis was standing apart with sage-like calmness, his half-elven ears twitching slightly.

And finally, Trinity, seated beside Felix with slender arms crossed tightly.

Felix taps on Solaris Palace on the map and declares, "We have a new ally, Prince Lysander Solaris."

A stunned silence blankets the room.

"The what now?!" Nixie nearly tumbles off the table in disbelief.

Felix recounts his conversation with Prince Lysander, the leverage they could gain from him, the connection to the Maywraiths, and demands for free trade.

As he speaks, reactions ripple through their ranks:

Zephyr's smirk sharpens into something predatory while Gwendolyn's frost patterns turn jagged.

Brixton scratches his head in confusion. "But... he's eighteenth in line! That's like betting on a three-legged horse."

"Exactly," Felix replies with a knowing smile. "No one expects him to win, that's our advantage."

Jarvis strokes his chin thoughtfully. "And what about the Maywraiths? They've been tolerant so far… but an outright alliance?"

"They'll agree," Felix asserts confidently. "Patriarch Maywraith would swallow live scorpions just to spite Prince Darius."

Trinity finally chimes in with a voice as cold as winter wind. "This is reckless! We're merchants, not kingmakers!"

"But think about it!" Nixie exclaims excitedly. "Imagine all those contracts if our prince wins! No more noble interference!"

Brixton's face clouds over with concern. "Won't other princes come after us?"

"This is too risky!" Trinity glances anxiously at Felix.

Zephyr was grinning wildly, his excitement palpable. "Let them try! I could use the exercise against those newly trained assassins!"

Jarvis, deep in thought, replied, "But the real question is, what does Lysander truly want from us in the long run?"

Felix listened intently as the debate unfolded around him.

This was precisely why he had gathered them; each perspective would sharpen their plan like a well-honed blade.

Finally, he raised a hand to bring order to the chaos. "Alright, here's how we proceed: Phase one, Zephyr, you'll plant agents in the Maywraith household to 'leak' that treason list.

Nixie, I need you to prepare some dummy financials illustrating just how much richer the nobles would be under our trade plan."

He turned his gaze toward Gwendolyn and Brixton. "You two will keep a close watch on Trinity. Make sure no one discovers her heritage, and if anyone does find out, no matter what time it is,act swiftly!"

Ice crystallized in Gwendolyn's glass as she nodded firmly. "Understood."

Brixton puffed out his chest with confidence and chimed in, "Don't worry, big bro! I'll make sure big sis stays safe!"

---------

As the meeting wrapped up, Jarvis lingered behind, concern etched on his face. "You're playing a dangerous game here, Felix. Crown politics are far more treacherous than noble feuds,they're like children squabbling compared to this."

Felix's eyes drifted to the map spread before him; the palace glimmered like a trapped star in darkness.

"We've always been part of this game, Jarvis. Now we're simply choosing our pieces wisely."