Aarya had recently hired a skilled craftsmen and 5 worker under him to help him with his work. Together, they had created 60 graphite pencils the day before, and now he was ready to sell them at the market.
As he set up his stall, he noticed something unusual—people were flocking to buy the pencils, and they were selling out faster than he had expected.
Aarya had a unique way of pricing his pencils. The first 10 pencils were sold for 10 silver coins each. The next 10 were priced at 10 silver coins and 50 bronze coins each. With every batch of 10 pencils, the price increased by 50 bronze coins.
Despite the steep prices, the pencils were in high demand, especially among the wealthy. The smoothness of the graphite and its ability to avoid smudging made these pencils stand out, turning them into a luxury item desired by both craftsmen and merchants.
The entire village had gathered at Aarya's stall. Merchants, artisans, and even commoners were curious about this new product. Everyone who tried the pencils was amazed by their quality, and no one else in the region could replicate them.
The unique material used in the pencils was a mystery, and Aarya had successfully kept it a secret. This ensured that if anyone wanted these special pencils, they had no choice but to come to him.
At the end of a successful day, Aarya and his team were about to head back to their workshop when a group of soldiers approached their stall. They informed Aarya that their lady wanted to discuss business with him and requested his presence at her estate.
Aarya felt that now his plans were starting. He insisted that his companions handle the factory operations while he went alone to meet the noblewoman. But they insisted to tag along with him. Aarya knew he had to meet the nobles alone. If his companions came along, they might get caught up in the mess he would cause later.
So, after some nagging, he convinced them to return to the factory and leave him to go to the estate by himself. Though they didn't want to leave him alone, they finally agreed and headed back, trusting Aarya to handle the meeting on his own.
As Aarya rode in the carriage, the soldiers accompanying him revealed that they were heading to the Duke's estate, where he would meet the Duke's daughter. Aarya didn't bother to change his clothes or remove his mask. The mask was a magical artifact from the Mage Tower, bonded to him and removable only by his will and rose and alex also had this type of this mask. It ensured their identity remained a secret, giving them a peace of mind.
The journey took three hours, as they traveled from the midstate to the upstate. When they arrived at the estate, Aarya was taken aback by its grandeur. The massive gates, perfectly trimmed gardens, and majestic architecture made it a sight to behold. At the entrance, guards carefully checked his invitation before allowing him inside.
The interior of the estate was just as magnificent as the exterior. Aarya noticed the luxurious furnishings, intricate artwork, and sparkling chandeliers. A maid greeted him and escorted him through the estate to a garden, where the Duke's daughter was waiting.
In the garden, the noblewoman sat at a table, sipping tea. She observed Aarya with a curious expression as he approached. Bowing respectfully, Aarya greeted her, "Greetings, my lady. I am honored to have this opportunity to speak with you."
The lady chuckled softly. "You're quite unusual," she said with amusement.
"My apologies, my lady. I may lack proper etiquette," Aarya replied politely.
"Why are you wearing a mask?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
"For my privacy, my lady," he answered.
"There's no one else here. You can remove it," she insisted.
Aarya, slightly irritated, replied firmly, "I'm sorry, my lady, but removing my mask could put my loved ones at risk. I prefer to remain anonymous."
The noblewoman seemed slightly disappointed but didn't press the matter further. Instead, she shifted the conversation to her reason for calling him. "Your products are remarkable," she began. "I've seen my maids using them, and they are truly excellent."
"It's an honor to serve, my lady," Aarya replied humbly.
"I want these products supplied to our estate in bulk every week," she stated confidently.
Aarya hesitated for a moment. "My lady, while I can supply a large quantity, I must also sell to the common folk. However, I can create a special premium batch exclusively for the nobility," he suggested.
"That will do," she agreed. "I'll use them as gifts for special occasions. and also give the normal products for the daily use in our estate"
As they continued discussing the details, the Duke's son entered the garden. He frowned slightly as he saw his sister talking to a masked man. "Sister, who is this strange fellow wearing a mask?" he asked.
"He's the creator of the pencils I told you about," she replied casually.
"Ah, so you're the one behind those peculiar products i saw my friends using products and listened to them praising your products," he said, turning to Aarya. "But why are you wearing a mask here?"
"To protect my identity, my lord. It ensures my personal life remains undisturbed," Aarya explained.
The Duke's son nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough. I won't pry further, but I do have a request for you."
"If it's within my capabilities, my lord, I will gladly fulfill it," Aarya replied.
"At my academy, we have some downtime after training. However, we're often too tired for physical activities. Do you have a game we could play indoors that lasts about 30 minutes?" the young noble asked.
Aarya's face lit up with excitement. "I have the perfect game for you My Lord," he said with a confident smile.