Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 58: Proposal

"I am grateful for Your Royal Highness's concern. Upon my arrival in the imperial capital, I had the opportunity to sample these dishes at my sister's invitation. They indeed possess a distinct flavor unlike those of other regions, though I must admit they do not quite suit my taste."

To prevent Astrid from inviting him to dinner again, Earl Tristian decisively addressed the issue at its root, making it clear that the flavor did not suit him and thus cutting off any further discussion on the matter.

In truth, Astrid was merely making small talk.

Seeing that Tristian responded without revealing much, she decided not to prolong the topic and instead got straight to the point of their transaction.

"If you wish, Lord Tristian, we have plenty of opportunities to meet. Given our limited time, we might as well get down to business."

"Professor Elowen should have explained the relevant process to you. You will inspect the goods first, and then negotiate the specific commercial terms."

With that, Astrid took out a glass bottle from her leather bag.

It contained a light blue transparent liquid, and she spoke with a calm expression.

"This is a perfume I have specially created according to Professor Elowen's requirements. Lord Tristian, you may test the quality yourself."

Astrid placed the perfume on the glass table between them, carefully avoiding any physical contact.

Tristian couldn't help but feel a little surprised at her lack of the usual enthusiasm.

How is it that Astrid seems different today...

Tristian pondered for a moment but didn't dwell too much on Astrid's change in demeanor.

He simply assumed she was trying a new tactic to capture his attention.

Oh, women.

Picking up the perfume bottle, he gently removed the cork.

A faint mint fragrance instantly filled the air.

Tristian poured a drop into his palm and brought it close to his nose.

At first, the scent was distinctly minty.

Upon closer inspection, however, the fragrance revealed rich layers, gradually transitioning from mint to a floral aroma reminiscent of iris or gardenia.

The final note was an indescribable mildness.

If one were to find a suitable metaphor, the last note was like a vast sandy beach at sunset, with a cool evening breeze carrying a hint of sea salt and foam, pure, clean, and soothing to the soul.

Tristian rubbed his fingers against the perfume bottle and slowly closed his eyes.

It turns out that a truly high-quality perfume is not just about the scent; it offers a unique sensory experience on multiple levels.

Seeing Tristian's reaction, Astrid's lips curved into a slight smile.

She knew the deal was as good as done.

After half a minute, Tristian finally spoke: "You added light salt grass to it..."

Having grown up in the Velmont family, Tristian was naturally familiar with the various plants that grew by the sea.

He could detect the fragrance of light saltgrass in the perfume.

"Yes, Lord Tristian's sense of smell is indeed keen," Astrid replied softly.

In the next moment, Tristian opened his eyes and asked, puzzled, "How did you manage to eliminate the fishy smell of the light saltgrass?"

The smell of untreated saltgrass is so strong that it almost completely conceals the light fragrance of the grass.

Many so-called "perfume masters" never considered that saltgrass could be used in perfumery.

Astrid's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly at his question.

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Her slender, jade-like hand rested on her overlapping knees, gently smoothing out the folds in her black silk dress.

"This is private information. Perhaps we can discuss it in more detail once our transaction reaches a deeper level,"

Every time this topic arose, Astrid couldn't help but marvel at the convenience of mental power.

What had required complex instruments and multiple steps in her previous life could now be achieved effortlessly with the use of mental energy.

Tristian realized he had overstepped and politely replied, "My apologies."

It was only natural that Astrid would be reluctant to reveal how she removed the smell of light saltgrass, such a method was undoubtedly a trade secret.

Unconsciously, the image of the proud silver-haired princess in Tristian's mind began to shift slightly.

"I am very satisfied with the quality of this perfume. Has Your Highness Astrid given it a name?" Tristian inquired.

"Summer Ocean," Astrid replied.

The name was simple yet perfectly captured the essence of the perfume.

Tristian silently repeated it in his mind, finding it increasingly charming.

It was a name that could easily serve as the brand for the product.

Seeing that Tristian had not yet moved the conversation forward, Astrid remained patient.

She gently blew on the surface of her teacup, pressed her pink lips to the rim, and took a sip of black tea, waiting calmly.

"A lovely name," Tristian remarked after a moment, setting down the perfume.

His tone grew serious as he continued, "Now, let us discuss the terms of our cooperation and the commercial dividends for Your Highness Astrid."

The Earl Tristian had a strong hunch that once this perfume was released, it would become a coveted item among the nobility, bringing significant profits to his family.

In terms of commodity profits, aside from necessities like water, salt, and grain, the highest margins came from luxury goods such as precious stones, perfumes, and furs.

The nobles of the Valeria Empire spent far more on these items than most could imagine.

Tristian retrieved a business contract, two quills, and a peculiar ink with a faint magical aura from a bag behind him.

Understanding that Astrid might be unfamiliar with such transactions, Tristian took the initiative to explain.

"This ink is derived from the dark squid, a deep-sea demonic beast. Words written with it can endure for thousands of years, even if submerged in water."

"Additionally, it has another advantage. When signing commercial terms, the time of signing can be specified. Once the ink is applied, it undergoes periodic changes that can be detected by the merchant union using specialized magical instruments. These changes occur every half hour, ensuring the contract's integrity."

This feature prevented any unauthorized additions or alterations to the contract, eliminating the need for a notary and greatly enhancing the document's credibility.

"This is the Velmont family's proposed trade agreement, outlining the cooperation process, the specific responsibilities of both parties, and the profit-sharing arrangement. Please review it carefully, Your Highness. If you have any reasonable requests or concerns regarding the terms, feel free to share them now."

With that, Astrid accepted the parchment from Tristian.

Her eyes lowered, and she began to read the document word by word, her expression focused and composed.

Compared to the business contracts from her previous life, the style book provided by Tristian was less complex and far easier to read.

The terms and obligations were clearly outlined, making them straightforward and comprehensible, even for a newcomer to the industry.

Astrid held the parchment in her hand, her left cheek resting gently on her palm.

The lace cuffs of her princess dress brushed against her snow-white, delicate skin, resembling elegant petals cradling a flower's stamen.

The terms and conditions explicitly stated that the preparation of materials and the entire process of concocting the perfume were Astrid's responsibilities.

The Velmont family, on the other hand, would only handle the purchase and secondary sale of the product, with no involvement in other aspects.

In simpler terms, Astrid was in charge of production.

The two parties would agree on a mutually acceptable ex-factory price based on market prospects, after which the Velmont family would take over the distribution.

After reading the final line and confirming there were no missing or unnecessary clauses, Astrid lifted her gaze.

The bright light reflected in her crimson eyes.

"I believe the Velmont family must have brought more than just this."

The freedom offered by this style book was indeed generous, and the risks she had to bear were minimal.

However, there was one particular issue: all the perfumes had to be crafted by Astrid alone, and she simply didn't have the time for such repetitive manual labor.

Tristian's expression shifted slightly.

He paused for a moment before replying softly, "There is indeed another proposal. Please take a look, Your Highness Astrid."

With that, he retrieved another style book from his bag.

This time, the terms had changed. Astrid was no longer a retail investor but an overseer responsible for directing the entire perfume-making process.

All the raw materials required for production would be procured by the Velmont family.

Astrid's role would be to instruct the workers on a simplified version of the production process, reducing both cost and labor.

The profits would then be divided between the Velmont family, who handled sales, and Astrid.

Taxes generated by business activities in different regions would be paid according to local regulations.

From a profit-sharing perspective, this commercial style book, which resembled a copyright sale, granted Astrid a significant portion of the earnings.

Initially, she had expected to receive a maximum of three dividends, but the actual offer far exceeded her expectations.