There was nothing she wanted from Alessa except peace and quiet, but she doubted the childhood love interest of Alessas would understand that. Tori stared Tom down as she spat out her words carefully. If he was still in the sa headspace that Gideon, Dimitri, and Fabian had been, then no matter what Tori said, shed be t with suspicion and resistance.
There was no point trying to convince Tom that she only ca to help because Alessa asked her. Hed never believe her. She turned around and walked away from him before he could reply, leaving him standing there dumbfounded.
Part of her was annoyed, as while she understood why hed be suspicious of her, she didnt think shed done anything wrong. Shed defended herself and refused to break rules, but she never wouldve troubled Alessa if Alessa hadnt troubled her first.
The knights saw her approaching from within the cafe and had co out to et her part way.
My lady, was that man bothering you? Sir Lloyd asked as he gave her a small bow of his head and looked past her, down the street.
Tori shook her head once. Hes a childhood friend of Baroness Hart and suspected . Nothing concerning.
At once, the two knights frowned as she passed them to enter the cafe. He dares? Sir Dassler looked back at Tom in the distance. Tom was squinting in their direction, watching the knights surround her. Tori ignored him and gave a dismissing wave of her hand.
You know that the Baroness and I had so conflict in the past.
But it was not the Countess fault. The Baroness had overstepped nurous tis causing the Countess problems, Sir Lloyd replied. They followed her inside and Tori went straight to the counter in the back to order a al.
Hes nothing to worry about. I can manage a teenage boys suspicion. Be at ease. She ended her sentence in a firm voice and the two knights bowed their heads, accepting her answer. They returned to their table by the window as Tori ordered so fried potatoes and a soup.
She took a seat in the corner to wait for her food. Since Alessa admitted that she had asked her to co to the Golden Cow to help with the three families, she knew that Alessa was trying to take advantage of the fact that Tori had social influence. If she were being honest, she wasnt mad at Alessa for doing so.
It was a bit interesting to know that Alessa felt she could co to Tori, though Tori wondered if it was because Alessa noticed Dimitri, and to a lesser extent, Gideon and Fabian, coming to her for help. If those three who obviously had conflict with her before could do so, why couldnt Alessa?
In Lyce, Tori knew she had a good reputation, especially amongst younger students. It completely clashed with the reputation she had when she entered. Several years ago, she was an arrogant, spoiled, snob who barely made it into the school. Not to ntion the suspicion that she bought her way in. Now, she was popular for her guidance, reliable nature, and admired for her rank while maintaining a busy life outside of school.
Alessa also had a clashing reputation from their first year, but in a negative sense. While Tori didnt think the rumors surrounding Alessa were as bad as the rumors that had surrounded her, being known as the person who spread unfounded rumors against other students and essentially cried wolf in order to gain favor from others wasnt sothing to be proud of.
Perhaps that was another reason Alessa had approached her so much since school started that year. It was well known that Alessa had blad Tori in the past. If it looked like they were on good terms, then it could be seen that Alessa had changed for the better.
After all, if Tori forgave her and was willing to help her, why should others hold Alessas past actions against her? Tori didnt want to assu the worst, but appearing as friends would be beneficial to Alessa in more ways than one.
The corner of Toris lips almost curled up in a sneer. Now that Dimitri, Gideon, Fabian, and even Montan were avoiding Alessa, she was sowhat isolated. This would not do. The heroine cant go through life without so deus ex machina supporting character aiding her when she needed it most.
Tori not only had the influence and money to be the said supporting character, but Tori now appeared to be getting along with other influential people, even people she didnt previously like.
That mustve been seen as an opening for Alessa.
Then again, if she and Alessa were on good terms, wouldnt that co with so benefit for her as well? Alessa was annoying and Tori neither forgave her or trusted her, but having the favor of the protagonist wasnt necessarily a bad thing. After all, the good guys were children of luck, werent they? Their luck often carried to their allies.
Well, unless youre in a position where you can be fridged so the protagonist can grow as a character. Toris lips pursed into a line. She didnt think that despite the changes in the story, she had deviated from being the villainess, so even if Alessa was depending on her and approaching her with friendly intentions, Tori had to keep her guard up.
Was it disingenuous to do so? Of course.
But she didnt want her or her family to die because they were opposite Alessa and sohow got in her way even if it was by accident. Tori reminded herself that while she was the villain, this made her loved ones cannon fodder.
My lady, your al. Lukas Jaeger brought a small tray with her food and a drink and placed it in front of her.
Thank you. Tori gave him a small nod and picked up the utensils.
As she considered the pros and cons of positively associating with Alessa, the pros seed to outweigh the cons. The closer she was to Alessa, the more Alessa could depend on Toris social influence and guidance, but Tori would get information because Alessa talked. And if she didnt, then Tori could get information so other way without being suspicious, so long as Alessa had so level of trust in her.
Just like today, Alessa allowed her access to their sales records and purchase orders against the managers wishes.
Tori lifted so fried potato to her mouth and silently chewed.
The na of her spice supplier was the Southeast Spice Company and they delivered twice a month: on the fifteen day and on the last day of the month. And it was the sa amount every ti, as if their sources and trade werent affected by whatever was happening in Pargath.
And if Tori knew when they ca, she could try to track them.
Of course, there were flaws in the plan. In the case where the supply wagons or horses were switched out, or the crystal she used to track them was discarded before they got to their destination, then it would be useless to try. The crystals she used werent expensive, but it would be a waste if they were lost.
In addition, the current tracking technology she had could only be tracked from about half a day's travel away based on the size crystal she considered using. It had to be small to remain unseen. The distance was far enough for those tracking not to be noticed, but any sudden changes and the trackers would be too far away to do anything about it. Still, she supposed it was worth a shot to find out how the goods were entering the empire.
Chef, the grocers are here to pick up the empty crates from this mornings produce delivery.
Tori paused with her fork halfway up to her mouth. She looked up and saw Lukas going through the service door to get to the kitchen after one of the cooks called for him.
How was the eting at the Golden Cow? Henriks voice spoke up above her and she snapped her head up. She blinked and furrowed her brows, her mind blanking for just a mont. Henrik put so folders on the table and pulled out a seat. Youre not ranting, so I assu it wasnt too bad.
Tori tightened her lips and gave him a dull look. It wasnt bad at all. If anything, I think the three families who tried to overwhelm Hart regretted doing so when they realized I had co to the table.
You do have a reputation.
A good reputation.
Sure....
Tori snorted and ate so potatoes. Henrik raised his arm to call for so coffee before opening one of the folders. Whats that?
The guest surveys from last month, Henrik said. Were getting a lot of good feedback. The third-tier imperial knights are having a day-long event where they bring their families. They want to know if they can have a custom-made escape room created on-site with a knight the.
Toris brows rose with interest. Thats possible, but expensive.
The third-tier imperial knights only have this event every three years, Henrik said. He slid over a piece of paper. Its not until after the new year and they are still looking for a venue. For a mont, he looked pained. It hurts that the Lunar Pavilion will not be open at full capacity.
To be fair, the speed in which its being renovated is much faster than normal and aside from the inn portion and the official opening of the shopping areas on the ground floor, the rest of the Lunar Pavilion can host events, Tori said. She looked over the paper shed been given and drew her head back. You werent kidding about the budget.
I was surprised, too. I had Ewan ask around and the other imperial knight tiers have picnics in the park once a year. Nothing too elaborate, but the third-tier imperial knights have a lot of officers. Most instructors at La Garda and cadet instructors are third tier.
So, not as high risk as the first and second, but at least a pay grade above average imperial knights, Tori said. Many third-tiered knights also did security detail, so she knew a few. Since theyre interested in the Lunar Pavilion, lets see what we can do.
Henrik grinned. I thought youd say that. Ilyana and I have started the hiring process for the pavilions restaurant and cafe.
About the restaurants winery in the lower level, The Cellar, Tori said. Sebby wanted to recomnd a classmate who is a somlier. He cos from a family that owns a winery, but hes the youngest, so hes been looking for a job outside the family winery.
Henrik nodded. Lord Sebastian would not recomnd him if he was not a talented individual. Where is he now?
Sebby says hes currently working at a winery near zzaluna. They have a restaurant, and he works as a somlier there. Zephyr...Zehpora?
Zephyrus? Henrik sat up straight. He works at Zephyrus?
Tori nodded and made a little finger gun at Henrik. Thats it. Thats what it's called.
Tori, thats the most prestigious restaurant in zzaluna. Why would he want to leave?
Tori pursed her lips. His fiance was the heiress of the winery, and she broke up their engagent.
What?
To marry his older brother.
What!
Tori grimaced and nodded. I know. Sebby said he was tired of having to listen to him crying about it, so he wants to throw him at us to take care of.
Henrik looked at a loss for words. Im more than happy to hire the somlier from Zephyrus, but....
His breakup is not going to negatively affect his job, I think, Tori said. It should be fine, right? He got the position of his own rit and Sebby spoke highly of him. Idunn said he personally selected all the wine for their wedding.
Henrik furrowed his brows and nodded. I have no issue with this. We dont have any wine for him right now, though. The Cellar is still being renovated.
I told Sebby that and he suggested that we send him around Soleil and maybe to Nazaria to collect so wine for us, Tori said. What do you think?
That does save us so work of our own. Well need to budget the cost of sending him to work, but I dont think it should be a problem, Henrik said.
Great, Ill tell Sebby to send his friend here and arrange a eting, Tori said. By the way, is it common for shipping materials, like crates and barrels to be returned to the vendor for reuse?
Henrik nodded as he sipped on his drink. Yes, there is often a discount applied if the materials are undamaged when returned. It saves the custor and the vendor so money, so almost every shop I know does it. Unless the shipping materials are damaged, there is no reason not to return them for a discount.
Tori held back a smile. Thats perfect.
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