Chương 33: Chapter 32 - Rescuing A Few

Dustin eyed her with something akin to pride mixed with excitement to hear what idea she had come up with. She continued, "I want to bleed his estate dry. I want him so broke that he can't afford to keep a single servant on. I want him so far behind on his own taxes that Baron Norshod knocks down his front door in his collection efforts." Dustin studied her with a smirk.

"And you have a plan for this?" She nodded and waved Grivalt's letter in the air.

"Let's ignore this for now. Instead, let's set up competing businesses for every single one of Lord Grivalt's business operations. Set up shops close to his, and undercut his prices on every single thing he offers. Pay people to spread the word, we have the same products, or better, for cheaper." Dustin stroked his chin.

"Our business agreement that we just signed indicates that we will sell wine to him as a distributor. Setting up a competing business so soon will look bad. That wine emporium is his primary business income." Kiara's face soured.

"How can we speed up the timeline, then?"

"I don't think the idea is bad," Dustin clarified, "maybe just the timing. We can raise the prices that we sell the wine to him for, to make it less appealing to the public. Once he realizes that our wines aren't selling, he may wish to cancel the contract himself. In the meantime, we can buy the storefronts near his, and start gathering inventory. We can even launch some of the competing businesses in markets where we haven't established a contract with his house."

After a short pause, he asked, "What if we launch these competing businesses, but he lowers his prices to match ours?" Kiara shrugged.

"Then we lower our prices again."

"We could lose a lot of money," Dustin remarked. Kiaran simply pointed to the pieces of his desk, which she had broken with the coins from her soul storage. Dustin laughed. He had purchased a new work desk, but had left the broken one where it was for some reason, refusing to let the estate servants clean it up. She wasn't sure why. He often glanced at it when they talked, maybe to remind himself of that night.

"Money isn't an issue," Kiara said.

"And honestly, I would spend everything I have to get my family back." Dustin simply nodded. He had left his own family on less than ideal terms, but he obviously understood the sentiment. She was sure he still loved them, he simply didn't want to be around the shady business dealings they were engaged in at present. Maybe after the war he would re-establish contact, find a way to reconcile properly with them. Time would tell. After thinking for a moment, Dustin added.

"This approach will likely sour the relationship a bit. There is a small chance that he may not want to do business with us after that. More likely though, is that he will be pushed to desperation, forced to concede to some of our requests. I'll start working on setting up some competing businesses starting tomorrow." Kiara nodded with a satisfied smile. He had finally stopped trying to get her approval on the decisions he was making, and was operating with complete autonomy, just as she wanted.

He held out his hand for the letter, and she handed it to him.

"In the meantime," he added, "I suggest that we do indeed rescue some of these poor servants from this list. It will set a good precedent for us to do so again in the future, once all of the names that you wish to see appear on the list."

"Ah, that makes sense," she replied.

"Prioritize the elderly and entire families, if possible." Dustin nodded.

"Will do." * Sunday night, six of the servants from Lord Grivalt's letter arrived at Kiara's estate. They were Jesper Hemley and his three adult children, Rose, Petal, and Zane, along with Nancy Snow and Beth Forner. The four Hemleys were the only Hemleys at Grivalt's estate, so they weren't leaving anyone behind. Jesper had experience gardening, and had mostly worked the grounds. Rose and Petal were both experienced cooks, and had worked in the kitchen with Kiara's mom (not that she was able to tell them that).

Zane had recently turned sixteen, entering adulthood, and had mostly been learning gardening alongside his dad. Most mortals didn't live much past sixty, and Nancy Snow and Beth Forner were both getting on in years. Nancy was quite ill; she had a nasty cough, and walked with a limp. Neither of them had family at Grivalt's estate, so Dustin had purchased their debts along with the Hemley family.

In truth, Kiara had simply paid all of the debts off, she didn't intend to maintain any kind of indentured servant terms on her estate. She would let each person decide for themself if they wished to stay at her estate in her employment, or if they'd rather leave and pursue their own life. Kiara was waiting in the entryway when they arrived. They entered, then bowed cautiously to her once she was introduced. They stood quietly, waiting for her to tell them what to do.

They all looked grossly underfed and emaciated, and Kiara winced at the sight. They all look like they could use a proper meal, she thought to herself. Everything else can wait. Dinner had ended hours ago, and the kitchen was bound to be empty, but Kiara didn't mind cooking the food herself.

"Alright," Kiara said, "everyone to the kitchen." Most of them looked resigned at her words, and she realized they were expecting to be put right to work. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"Uh… for a meal, not to do any actual cooking," she hurriedly added.

"Dinner ended hours ago, you see, so we will have to whip up something quick in the kitchen." Some of the younger servants' postures straightened slightly at that, a faint glimmer of hope in their eyes. The older ones didn't react at all. They seemed to have lost the ability to show emotion, or possibly they had simply learned not to, after so long working in such poor conditions. Estella, who took to following Kiara around as her personal bodyguard anytime she was at the estate, was hovering nearby.

Kiara motioned to her then pointed to Nancy Snow.

"Estella, help Ms Snow." Estella, who was by now very used to Kiara's unique way of running an estate, jumped right into action, hurrying to Nancy's side. She offered her an arm, but Nancy didn't seem sure what to do. She almost looked scared that this was a mean trick or test of some kind. Estella stepped closer.

"It's okay, miss, take my arm." Nancy hesitantly accepted, wrapping her hand around Estella's arm. With a satisfied nod, Kiara started towards the kitchen.

"Follow me!" Once they arrived, Kiara was surprised to find Helga, the head chef, still there. She was wiping down the countertops, humming softly to herself. She glanced up as the group walked in.

"Good evening, Lady Shian… oh! What's this? Who do we have here?" She left the wet rag on the counter and hurried over towards the group, her large, plump features accentuating each movement.

"Some newcomers," Kiara explained.

"Just arrived a few minutes ago, I figured they could use a good meal." Helga looked the group up and down, tisking to herself.

"They could indeed. Naught but skin and bones, the poor souls. Soup and sandwiches, I say. Fast, easy, and warm." She nodded confidently to herself, then moved to start making the food.

"Find a place to sit, there are stools over there," she called out as she walked, pointing to the group's right. The newcomers all shuffled to the stools and hesitantly sat. They still seemed very unsure about what to do, but Helga's presence seemed to calm them somewhat. She was the first servant they had seen at the estate, everyone else had been guards. Kiara followed Helga to help prep the food, and Estella took up a position near the door after helping get Nancy seated on a stool.

Helga had grown quite used to Kiara making food in the kitchen at times, and didn't bat an eye at her behavior, but Rose and Petal Hemley both jumped up and rushed over once they saw what she was doing.

"Please, Lady Yountal," Petal said as they approached, "allow us."

"Yes," Rose chimed in, "we both worked the kitchens at the Grivalt estate." Kiara opened her mouth to reply, but Helga shooed the two girls away before she could say anything.

"Back!" Helga said enthusiastically, waving her hands at them.

"Go sit down, the both of you. This is my kitchen, and I won't have you working on your first night here. Lady Shian and I are perfectly capable of making some simple sandwiches." The two girls looked confused, but retreated to their stools.

"Hmph," Helga said as she watched them go.

"Hands dirty from the trip, barely able to stand on their own two feet, and I haven't even tested their cooking proficiency yet, and they want to claim a spot in my kitchen?" The two girls looked at the floor, ashamed, and a bit scared of being punished.

"You've scared the wits out of them," Estella quipped light-heartedly from the doorway, where she was leaning against the wall with one foot behind her. Helga softened her tone and gave the two Hemley girls a gentle smile.

"I don't mean anything by it sweeties. We'll get you fed and rested, then we can discuss kitchen duties tomorrow. For now, just rest." She turned to Estella.

"And you! Get your foot off my wall." Estella smirked, but lowered her foot.

"Yes ma'am." Helga warmed a simple soup while Kiara sliced bread and made simple sandwiches. Within a few minutes, all of the newcomers had a full bowl of warm soup and a sandwich in front of them. They started eating hesitantly, but after a few bites they took to it with gusto. Halfway through the meal, Jesper put his sandwich down. He had been watching the events unfold with a growing look of interest, and didn't seem to be able to hold back his questions any longer.

"Lady Shian?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for the meal," he began. The others quickly chimed in with their thanks as well. Kiara waved away the proffered thanks like it was a bad smell or something.

"No thanks needed. I'm glad you're all enjoying the meal. Really, we should be thanking Helga for letting us use her kitchen." She gave Helga a quick smile. Helga, in return, engulfed her in a massive hug. She was a very large woman, and Kiara disappeared into her girth momentarily. Helga had grown quite fond of Kiara, and found every excuse she could to give her a hug. It was honestly quite comforting, and made her miss her mom.

"Speak nothing of it, dearie," Helga replied.

"'Tis what kitchens are for." Jesper cleared his throat.

"That being said, milady… what's next for us?" The others perked up at the question. It was on all of their minds.

"Well, I paid off your debts with Lord Grivalt," Kiara said. Jesper nodded.

"I have an additional six years left on my debt, and my children all have three more years. Should we continue with the same tasks that we knew at the Grivalt estate?" Kiara folded her arms.

"Well, that's up to you, I think. What would you like to do?" Jesper looked confused.

"You want us to decide?" Kiara nodded.

"Within reason. I'll have to run it by Dustin, of course, since he technically handles hiring and managing new employees, but I'm sure we can find a place for you to work in whatever capacity you'd like."

"Is Dustin the head of House Yountal, then?" Jesper asked.

"Ha! No," Kiara said with a laugh, "although he would probably fill that role better than I do. He's my business partner. My estate manager, I guess." Jesper's confusion deepened. The others didn't look any more clear on what the future held for them. Kiara paused for a moment before continuing.

"Your debts are paid off," she said again, assuming they had mis-interpreted what she had told them before.

"Not transferred. I paid them off, and you are free to live your lives how you see fit." Five of the six newcomers looked stunned. Zane, the youngest, looked at his dad and sisters, trying to gauge their reactions.

"If you'd like to stay here," Kiara continued, "you are welcome to, at least for the time being. If you'd like work, we'll have you talk to Dustin, to see where you might fit in. We can pay you a fair wage, of course. If you'd like to leave, and make your home elsewhere, that is totally fine too. If you need help getting situated somewhere, I'm sure we can work something out in that regard as well." A few of them had tears moistening their eyes now, mixed with guarded looks of hope.

"For tonight," Kiara finished, "after you finish eating we'll find you someplace to sleep. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to Dustin, and he'll help get you situated in whatever way you feel is best for yourself or your family." After the meal was over, Helga offered to show the newcomers to the servant quarters, and Kiara watched them go. Estella nudged her from the side.

"You're an odd one, you know that boss? You sure break a lot of norms." Kiara looked at her and chuckled.

"That's one way to put it."