Building A Business Empire From Scratch In Another World-Chapter 199 : Gold And Tantrums

The Morningstar Family Estate.

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Nestled majestically on the hillside, the Morningstar Family Estate stands like a castle draped in elegance.

Its white stone walls sparkle under the soft glow of the early morning sun, while golden accents along the rooftops seem to ignite with warmth.

Marble fountains cascade crystal-clear water into meticulously designed gardens, creating a serene atmosphere.

Servants clad in crisp white and gold uniforms glide through the courtyards with practiced precision,polishing brass lanterns, trimming hedges, and sweeping wide stairs.

The estate hums with an air of quiet order, radiating both discipline and pride.

But beneath this polished surface lies a freshly carved passage that winds its way deep beneath the estate's heart.

Here, where sunlight dares not tread, silence reigns,broken only by the gentle scrape of shoes against stone.

Nixie with her pink hair tied up in playful twin tails that bob as she walks.

She strolls down the uneven corridor with a joyfully smile on her face.

Humming an off-key tune that echoes through the tunnel's rough ceiling, her bright eyes shimmer with excitement.

"So much gold," she murmurs to herself, her grin widening mischievously.

"Mountains of it! Enough to fill my room..or even swim in! Maybe I should take just a little more than Felix told me… he won't notice if I 'borrow' a handful... right?"

With hands clasped behind her back and rocking on her heels, she ventures deeper into the passageway.

Her imagination runs wild: envisioning herself adorned in glittering necklaces and rings on every finger, her bed overflowing with coins instead of feathers.

As she continues onward, the tunnel opens up to reveal imposing treasury vault doors, massive a metallic gate adorned with intricate runes that pulse faintly like a heartbeat.

Golden patterns intertwine across their surface,a tapestry of sealing symbols that no thief could hope to breach.

Nixie halts before them, her grin stretching wider than ever.

"Hello, my love," she whispers reverently to the vault itself while clasping her hands in mock prayer. "I've missed you!"

With deft movements honed by practice, she retrieves a small silver token from her robe,a smooth circular token that glimmers softly in dim light.

Holding it carefully against the center of the door sends shivers down her spine; anticipation crackles in the air.

The vault shudders as if awakening from slumber.

A low hum resonates through the chamber at first but swells into a harmonious chorus as runes flare alive,lines of light racing across until they converge at Nixie's box.

Then....

With a soft pop!The token floats from Nixie's grasp and spins lazily above her head, glowing brighter by the second.

Nixie stepped back, her pink hair bouncing with every movement, her eyes wide with excitement.

From the shimmering light emerged a figure no larger than her finger.

Dressed in a pristine white tuxedo adorned with tiny golden cufflinks, he floated effortlessly, exuding an elegance that made even the grandest noble seem careless.

His slicked-back white hair gleamed under the glow, and his spotless gloves were a testament to his meticulous nature.

A gentle, serene expression graced his face, as if nothing in the world could ruffle his composure.

"Arthur!" Nixie beamed, clasping her hands together in delight. "Good morning!"

The little spirit glided closer and bowed gracefully mid-air.

His voice was calm and smooth, laced with a hint of amusement. "Good morning, Miss Nixie."

Her grin stretched from ear to ear. "How are you doing today, Handsome Spirit Butler?" She tilted her head playfully and fluttered her lashes for dramatic effect.

Arthur blinked at her antics without missing a beat. "Functional, as always. Thank you for asking."

"Functional?" Nixie groaned dramatically, stomping one foot for emphasis. "That's so boring! You should say you're fantastic or dashing or even devastatingly handsome! Because you are! Don't spirits have feelings too?"

With deliberate slowness, Arthur adjusted his tiny white cuffs. "My role is to serve, Miss Nixie,not to entertain flattery."

"Pfft." She crossed her arms defiantly but quickly leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Anyway, I've come for my share..Big brother

sent me!"

Arthur inclined his head slightly. "Yes. The amount has been prepared."

"Perfect!" Nixie chirped excitedly as she rubbed her hands together like a child anticipating dessert.

Then she lowered her voice into what she thought was a conspiratorial whisper: "Sooo… how about slipping me a little extra? Just as a thank-you for all my hard work? You know..researcher privilege!"

Arthur remained unshaken in the face of her charm offensive. "No."

Nixie's smile froze mid-giggle. "No? That's it? Just… no?"

"Yes."

Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Arthur, my dearest butler! Listen to me...I've been slaving away over those schematics all night! My poor little brain deserves some comfort,a few more gold coins or maybe even a chest or two,it's not much in the grand scheme of things!"

With an unwavering demeanor, Arthur adjusted his tiny bowtie and replied firmly: "Master Felix's instructions were clear: You are to receive only what is authorized."

Nixie gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as if she'd been struck by lightning.

"How cruel! You'd deny me even a single coin? After everything we've been through together?"

Arthur's serene smile remained unwavering. "Those were his exact words: 'Do not give her a single coin more than the assigned sum.'"

She froze mid-gesture, her eyes twitching in disbelief. "He...he actually said that? Word for word?"

"Yes."

"Ughhhh!" Nixie collapsed onto the floor with a wail, rolling back and forth like an overdramatic star of a tragic play.

"This is so unfair! You're worse than the gods themselves, Arthur! Crueler than the heavens! Look at me..I'm wasting away from poverty!"

Arthur hovered patiently above her, observing her tantrum with the same calm demeanor one might adopt while waiting for tea to steep.

After what felt like an eternity of flailing and whining,

Nixie finally sat up, cheeks puffed out defiantly. "Fine! Just give me the stupid ring!"

With a flick of his fingers, an elegant space ring shimmered into existence, glowing softly like a beacon of hope. With a casual toss, he sent it sailing toward her.

Nixie caught it and peeked inside; her expression transformed as she beheld a mountain of gleaming coins nestled within.

Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.

"Gold…" she whispered reverently before exclaiming louder, "Beautiful, shining, perfect gold! Oh, how I love you!"

She hugged the ring to her chest and twirled in place like an ecstatic dancer.

Arthur maintained his faint smile but replied dryly, "Please try not to spend it all at once."

Nixie halted mid-spin and narrowed her eyes at him while jabbing a finger in his direction.

"Mark my words, Arthur! One day I'll outwit you! You'll slip up and when you do,bam! Extra gold straight into my pocket!"

Arthur bowed elegantly in mid-air. "I look forward to seeing your attempt, Miss Nixie."

Before she could retort with another clever comeback, he dissolved into soft light and vanished back into the vault.

The silver token gently dropped into her hand,cold and quiet once more.

The runes on the massive doors dimmed until only a faint glow remained.

Nixie stood there pouting with puffed cheeks as she tapped the ring against her palm.

"...Hmph. Stupid butler spirit. Always so smug."

Yet despite her grumbling words, a grin returned full force as she held up the space ring to admire its golden shine under the lantern's glow.

Her pink eyes sparkled with excitement.

With a skip in her step, she hummed a cheerful tune, already dreaming up clever ways to sneak back for "extra" treasures later.