Sophia explained. They had visited several designers, but most refused to work with them unless they sold the sole rights to the designs.
One even offered only fifty gold coins for everything. She had turned them all down.
By chance, they had met Countess Rina. The countess had loved two of the dresses so much that she offered one thousand gold coins for each.
"It's good money, but we won't be able to make a name for ourselves that way," Ethan pointed out.
"Exactly," Sophia agreed. "That's why she offered something better. She wants to invest in our business. She will provide tailors and silk, while you create the sketches. We split the profits."
"That is a good deal," Ethan said, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at Oliver and Nina. "But if we rely entirely on her, we will be at her mercy."
"That's right, My Lady," Oliver added. "If Countess Rina provides all the support, our independence will be gone."
Sophia nodded. "She will start promoting your dresses soon, which will build your name. High society ladies will see them as priceless and fight to own one made by you."
Ethan almost felt like bowing to her right then.
'I didn't know my wife was this fierce. What insight.'
"I know the risks," Sophia continued. "That's why I arranged it as a fifty-fifty investment with a mana contract. We may not have the money now, but if Ethan can design one dress each month, we'll build up quickly." She turned to him with expectation.
"Designing isn't a problem," Ethan replied. Standard designs were easy for him. For special orders, he would just need to meet the client in person. "We can do that."
"Sophia, did you bring the grains and vegetables I asked for?"
"Yes. I ordered them in bulk, but they didn't have a fresh batch this month."
"No problem," Ethan said with a nod.
That night, after the meeting was over, Sophia quietly put Ray to bed. She sat beside him for a while, humming softly until his little eyes closed and his breathing became steady. Once he was asleep, she gently brushed his hair back and kissed his forehead before standing up. Ethan was waiting near the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed and a faint smile on his face.
She walked over to him and slipped her hand into his. "I missed you so much," she whispered.
Ethan tilted his head slightly. "You already told me that when you jumped out of the carriage," he teased softly, his voice warm.
"I mean it," she said, her eyes fixed on his. "Every night away from you felt so long. I kept thinking about when I could come back."
Ethan chuckled and pulled her closer. "That's the same for me."
Sophia hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "There's something I have to tell you."
Ethan looked into her eyes, sensing the weight of her words. "What is it?"
Her lips curved into a shy smile. "I'm pregnant."
For a moment Ethan froze, his mind processing her words. Then his eyes widened and he almost laughed. "You're serious?"
"Yes," she said softly, her hand resting on her stomach. "I found out just before I came back. I wanted to tell you in person."
Ethan pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "This… this is the best news I've heard in my life." He kissed her hair, then her forehead. "I'll make sure you and our child have everything. You won't have to worry about anything."
She leaned into his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Just stay beside me. That's all I need."
He kissed her softly, their embrace lingering in the quiet of the room. The world outside felt far away at that moment.
...….
A few days later, the merchant caravan rolled into the estate with the bulk order of seeds, grains, and vegetables.
Ethan personally went to oversee the delivery. The air was filled with the earthy scent of fresh produce as crates were unloaded one by one. There were bundles of fresh greens, sacks of wheat, barley, and rice, and baskets of beans and lentils.
But what caught his attention most were the crates of freshly dug potatoes and bright red tomatoes.
His heart skipped a beat as he picked one up, turning it over in his hand. The potatoes were firm and smooth, while the tomatoes gleamed in the sunlight, their skin taut and rich in color.
They already had maize in the region, but the current variety wasn't good enough for what he had in mind. He gave instructions to order another strain from the merchants.
"Popcorn… French fries," he muttered under his breath, his mind racing. "Ketchup… I need to make ketchup too."
A faint grin tugged at his lips. "My delicious fast food. With my metabolism now, I can eat as much as I want."
In his previous world, he had been forced to keep a strict diet, unable to satisfy his cravings without worrying about health. But here, even if he ate every day, there would be no weight gain and no gut problems. He clenched his fist slightly. "Ethan… good days are ahead."
Potatoes and tomatoes were now a priority. He called for the farmers and explained what he wanted. Even though he didn't know much about the actual farming techniques beyond the conditions they needed, Sophia had brought detailed notes on cultivation. He handed these out to the farmers so they could follow them exactly.
Turning to Oliver, he said firmly, "Make sure these crops are given special attention. No matter what, this batch cannot be wasted."
Oliver frowned slightly. "I don't understand why you focus so much on potatoes and tomatoes, my Lord. They are good food, but can they be compared to meat?"
Ethan only smiled faintly. "You'll understand later. Just make sure it's done right."
Oliver nodded. "As you command. I trust your foresight."
...…..
In the weeks that followed, Ethan kept himself busy. Alongside the farming project, he began producing new dress designs for Sophia's business. Each design brought steady income, and the reputation of their work spread faster with Countess Rina's promotion. The orders became so many that tailors had to work day and night to keep up.
Two months later, Ethan sat in his study with the account books spread before him. He flipped through the pages carefully, a satisfied smile on his face. "With this much accumulation, I can finally start showcasing the plans," he murmured to himself.
He reached into his system inventory, pulling up the storage menu. There, nestled neatly inside, were three breakthrough potions. The sight of them filled him with anticipation.
The next morning, just as the sun rose, a sharp scream rang out from the office.
The sound was so sudden and loud that everyone nearby turned toward its source in alarm.
"My Lord… This… Why?"
The voice trembled, carrying both shock and confusion, echoing down the hallway toward.
Ethan closed the account book slowly, his expression sharpening as he turned toward the sound.