Chương 703: Chapter 702: Hayward Emporium

Jenna Hillcrest"Hayward Emporium," Tara said as our carriage passed through the gate into the large compound. It stopped a few seconds later, and the door opened.

"Welcome to Hayward Emporium, madams of Velvet Garden," welcomed a blond man wearing an impeccable suit and white gloves. The man is in his mid-thirties, handsome, with pale green eyes.

"Thank you, Vice-Manager Dunnet," I replied. A little surprise that the vice-manager is welcoming us. I wouldn't have been surprised if the vice manager from Grade III legacy had done that. Ours is Grade III and far bigger than theirs, but it is the vice-manager of the Grade IV throne. I stepped out and turned to the legacy and couldn't help but sigh. I had seen many legacies, but this one comes third in beauty, and also the largest, aside from the Velvet Garden, of course.

It is a five-story, large building occupying approximately twenty-five thousand square feet. The building was constructed from white stone, like many buildings in the city. Since it is abundant, but that is the only similarity it possesses with them. It is accented with gold and crystal trim covering the whole building, but especially heavy around the doors and windows.

It was a plain, two-story white stone building when it became a legacy, but now it is five stories tall, adorned with exquisite metal and crystal work that has cost a considerable amount. The queen is said to have financed it, sparing no expense, and it shows. It's a truly opulent and clear display of wealth.

"You have a truly beautiful legacy, Vice-manager Dunnet," praised Tara.

"Thank you, Miss Veyrault," he replied and took us toward the doors. The store had a large door with elegant metal and gem-encrusted work. We stepped through them, immediately feeling the power of the legacy. Both of us looked at each other as we did; we felt the power of the throne, but also something else. The weakness behind that power, which we sensed immediately. Velvet Garden is filled with vibrancy; it is almost overwhelming, but this one, being the throne, barely has any.

It is worse than many waning legacies I've been in. This legacy didn't have long to live, a few months at most, or even less. It is the reason why we took this trip in a hurry. I pushed those thoughts away and looked at the beautiful store in front of me. I can't believe I dared to think about something else when this is in front of me. The floor is open-plan, flowing seamlessly from section to section, with no harsh divisions.

A central spiral stairwell—made of gem-studded steps and gold rails—connects the levels, along with a slow-moving magical lift formed of light and air, through powerful enchantments. One would be impressed to their core, but it is not the facilities that took my breath away. It is the things that they sell.

"Hayward Emporium sells everyday things, all of which are made inside this very building by our artisans," informed the man.

"The first floor is a light in the home. Here, we sell a wide range of products, including lights, candles, crystals, chandeliers, and more. Our collection here is vaster than what you have in the Velvet Garden," he stated with pride as he took us inside. He is right, I could see their vast collection. It is bigger than Velvet Garden's. Each one seemed to be a precious little thing. There is not a single thing I could find that I consider ugly.

I don't want to say it, but their collection is better than ours, but that shouldn't be surprising. We had half a year with our light store, while they have three centuries. Not to mention, this is the throne. Given our current rate of improvement, it won't take us long to reach this quality. Many pieces of our light sold are of this quality and artistry. He showed us around the floor, each section, and the aisles. I could see many people looking at us, all of them dressed well and wearing beautiful jewellery.

It is an invitation-only store; only those with an invitation can enter. Still, the store is packed with people. It is a legacy, a throne at that, even the rich and powerful need to struggle to enter here. Soon, we finished looking at the whole floor, and there are a lot of things I want to buy. I don't have much money. All the money I had, I handed it over to the investment manager to purchase as many properties as possible.

Due to the undead, the rates of the properties have come down heavily, and I am swooping in. It isn't just me; many madams and the girls are doing the same. We have seen this before; the rates come down when the undead attack, only to rise rapidly after the army defeats them. Last time, I wasn't able to properly take advantage of the opportunity; this time, I am planning to. I had already sold all my gifts and jewellery for it.

The adviser warned against taking such a massive risk, advising me not to put all my money into one city. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Even he thinks that Grelteheaven will fall, but I do not. I have complete confidence in Master Silver; he will not let the undead conquer our home.

"Vice-Manager, can we see the artisans?" asked Tara as he was about to take us to the floor above. We know there are artisans on each floor, hidden from the people's view. The man was surprised by the request, but after a moment of silence, he nodded in agreement.

"We don't usually let others see our workshop, but we can make an exception for the beautiful guest from Velvet Garden," he said and led us to the familiar section before we reached the wall. Click! He placed his hand on it, and a moment later, a door opened, and we entered inside.

"Wow!" I gasped as I stopped after taking two steps. There is no further space. Before us is a honeycomb-like structure that extends high into the sky, with each cell accommodating one to three people, all of them are working on something. A candle, a crystal, and many other things. I even saw many of these cells having small forges, with smiths expertly forging small pieces.

"Impressive," praised Tara, and it is. Miss Eva had done something like this, and Madam Caena had said they planned to do it throughout the entire legacy to maximise the potential of the legacy. Though I have to say, here they had done a fantastic job. Better than any other legacy I have seen.

"The space in legacy is limited. So, we have to make use of every inch," he replied. To that, we couldn't help but nod. It isn't just every inch, but also every minute. It is why, every day after the stores, the theatre, and other things close. Craftsmen take over that space in the Velvet Garden. A minute later, we walked out and stepped onto the second floor. It is called Bath and Breath, which sells a variety of bath-related products, including soaps, scented oils, and bath essentials.

We explored it before climbing the stairs to the third floor. When we reached it, we looked at each other once more. We had sensed it on the second floor, but it is more prominent on the third floor. The power of legacy is lessening the higher we climb. It is still a throne with power more impressive than Velvet Garden, but it has marks of waning all over it. The third floor is called Written and Remembered and has ink, paper, canvases, and calligraphy sets.

One of which, I am going to buy for Margaux, and a few things for Velvet Garden. I may not have much money, but Velvet Garden has given me quite the budget. On the fourth floor, the effect is more prominent. That even a child will be able to sense it. When we reached the fifth floor, the echoes and hours, the effects were so stark that it didn't feel like we were standing in a throne. We felt like we were standing in a Grade III legacy. The power here was only slightly stronger than the Velvet Garden.

"Look at all these clocks, they are so beautiful," I said as I looked at the clocks. From pocket clocks to wall clocks, everything is here.

"Our head clockmaker had been trained in Maraz." He informed. Another throne, which died two decades ago, was very famous. It was a clock store, and every clockmaker working there had made something of himself.

"It shows," I replied, looking at all the beautiful clocks around me. There are not many of them; there wouldn't be a hundred in the whole floor, but each piece is a work of art. This floor is more like an exhibition than a store. They do not sell these pieces easily. One needs to be rich and powerful, in addition to having a relationship with the store. The floor took us more time to browse than all the other floors, despite having the fewest things in it.

As we examined each excellent piece carefully, we finally followed him toward the master's office. It was on the top floor, and we reached it in two seconds.

"Miss Hillcrest, Miss Veyrault. You can go inside," he said as we stopped at the door. Click! We nodded and walked toward the door, where the guards opened it for us.

"Lord Hayward," we greeted as we entered the office. It is a small office, but it is very well-decorated with a beautiful view of the outside. I looked at the man. He looked to be in his early forties, with brown hair and black eyes. He looked average. The only noticeable quality about him is that he is tall. As we looked at him, he was looking at us. His eyes stayed on me for a moment before turning to Tara. I wanted to sigh, seeing the look she is giving him. It's so clear, she didn't use the skill.

She has many skills for this purpose.

"Miss Hillcrest, Miss Veyrault, take a seat," he replied.

"Thank you, my lord," Tara said sweetly.

"And please, my lord, call me Tara," she added, in a sugary, seductive voice. Hearing that, I wanted to shake my head in disbelief. To be honest, I am frustrated and even a little angry that she is doing this. She is trying to fuck every master, regardless of the age or gender. I am on a mission from Velvet Garden. A lot is riding on it. In my trips, I try to conduct myself as professionally as possible. So, they won't think me as just a whore, but here she is seducing the masters, left and right. I miss Alex.

I wish he had come with us on so this trip. Hayward didn't say anything other than smiling, which is enough. He is trying to hide it, but I could see the burning lust in his eyes. The man is actually married with children, but that never stopped men from fucking around. If it had, prostitution would have disappeared a long time ago.

"How was the trip?" he asked after averting his eyes from Tara. Though only for a moment before they went back on her.

"Pleasant," I replied with a smile.

"I hope you both liked my legacy. Some of the things you have in Velvet Garden have been copied from me," he said. They were not, especially not from his. There are many store legacies in the world. It is he who copied the ideas from others, but I am not going to say that, just like I am not going to respond to his 'copying' comment.

"It's a beautiful legacy," I replied, but Tara sighed.

"I wish I could get a more detailed tour of it. I have so many questions, and your person wasn't able to provide satisfactory answers for them," added Tara with her voice turning seductively husky.

"How about I give you the tour? I am sure I will be able to satisfy all your curiosities," he replied with his eyes burning in lust.

"You will satisfy me, my lord," she replied huskily. I wanted to roll my eyes when I heard that. She is so direct, and it works with her. She didn't have to go with the layers of subtlety.

"Let's go then," he said, getting up. Surprisingly, others usually waited until we discussed the things.

"Lord Hayward, there are a few things we have to talk to you about," I said to him while glaring at Tara. I am referring to the staff we brought in to gain experience here.

"You can talk with Dunnet, I have given him the authority to deal with it," he replied, and moved his hand toward Tara, and she took it. The man is useless, as I heard. His focus is more on women, liquor, and other stuff than on the legacy. If he had focused on legacy, he might have been able to make his legacy live longer. They walked out of the office, while I walked behind them, before stopping beside Dunnet. He looked at his Lord and Tara, before turning to me. I kept my expressions serious.

"We have made preparations for your staff; they can start in the afternoon," he said, before I could speak.

"Thank you, Vice Manager Dunnet," I replied with a smile, but a moment later, a beautiful smile appeared on my face.

"I would like my staff at specific places. I hope you will do me this favour," I said melodically.

"That wouldn't be a problem," he replied after a moment of hesitation. Tara isn't the only one who could use the charm. We walked down the floors while discussing the placement of the staff.

"Miss Hillcrest, is there a vacancy available in Velvet Garden?" he asked. Surprising me. Master Silver had asked me to poach the staff—especially managers and artists. I was planning to broach the subject a few days later, after I had fully charmed him, but he asked first.

"I thought you already had offers?" I asked. The staff of the throne quickly gets picked out by the others, and nobody can stop them from leaving. It is one of the rules of the synod.

"I have," He replied.

"A few thrones and other organisation and people have expressed their interest in me," added.

"Then why us?" I asked.

"Velvet Garden has potential. Many might believe that Lord Silver may be destroying it, doing what he is doing, but I believe he is just following the vision."

"Those that do have a great future, and Lord Silver had already proved that by taking his legacy to Grade III in less than a year," he said. Hearing that, a surprise appeared on my face, but it turned into a smile.

"We have vacancies. Even if we didn't, we would have opened one for you," I replied, making the man smile.