"Then how about this, Lady Morata," he started speaking.
"I will give you the designs but in exchange, you will simply have to endorse me, Pier Belmiunde, as your official partner in making the designs," He said as if he had no choice
"Ah, and do not give these designs to the others as well. This will be the one and only copy of the designs that will exist within the entirety of the kingdom," Pier stated. Lady Morata nodded in each of his conditions as if she was agreeing without even thinking about what Pier said.
"Another thing, Lady Morata. We can only release the designs to those who partner solely with us. If the noble had other dressmakers as partners, then we will not entertain them by any means." Lady Morata nodded again. Pier's conditions seemed normal to her considering these designs are exquisite and unique.
"Magic contracts will be given to those who wanted to do their bidding with you, of course, to assure that you will be their only partner and the designs would not be given away," Pier stated. If one would look at it, it seems like Pier was trying to take over the entire tailoring and dressmaking industry but Lady Morata did not even complain about any of the conditions stated.
Magic contracts in this world are contracts imbued with magic from the church itself. This will secure that the agreements written in the contracts are followed and those that oppose will face the consequences.
'No one would even bother thinking over the magic contracts because they will see the designs as highly confidential and one of a kind.' Pier started laughing internally at the thought. He was thankful for having the knowledge from a world that was centuries more advanced than the current timeline he was in.
"I will not require Lady Morata to give me any portion of the profit that you will earn after acquiring the designs. Just follow my conditions," He spoke. Pier's original purpose was to simply order a new suit from Lady Morata but he came up with the sudden idea of his first step in clapping back at those that wronged the original Pier.
Lady Morata's eyes were almost sparkling while holding the folder that contained the designs tightly. She could not believe that such a person exists. It seems like the young master was a blessing sent by the gods unto her. He did not even ask for any payment with the designs nor any part of the profit but instead made conditions that the designs will solely be hers. All that she could see were gains in this partnership and could not find any reason to refuse.
"Then, I will gladly take this partnership on, young master!" She had an extremely bright smile and Pier also returned the smile in a very sophisticated way
"However, young master..." She had one thing to ask
"What is it?" Pier replied as he sipped on the tea that was now lukewarm
"If I may be so bold to ask this but... why me? I am pretty sure that there are better dressmakers and tailors that the young master can form his desired partnership with." She hesitantly asked. She started questioning her eligibility for such an opportunity.
Pier had already anticipated this question and started to fake a frown. His eyebrows furrowed and the corner of his lips slowly downturned. He needed to look pitiful but at the same time believable.
"I have been delusional for the previous years. I have relentlessly chased after the Crown Prince when it was obvious that his highness will never spare his affection for me. I wasted too much time on things that will not even benefit me the slightest and so now, I have decided to focus more on myself and be a better head for the family." His face was contorted onto that of sorrow and regrets. His voice, too, was laced with such sadness that the lady's look on him softened even more.
"And as a responsible head for the family, I wish to take steps forward along those who are working with my family as well." He then smiled at Lady Morata who was once more covering her mouth with her hands
"Forgive me, young master! I should have never asked such a daring question!" She immediately felt bad after asking Pier. Lady Morata felt as if she had brought out something that Pier had been personally keeping for quite some time now.
"It's fine, Lady Morata. It's only normal for business partners to have trust with each other." He smiled at the Lady who was trying to compose herself after hearing Pier's supposedly sad story.
"I still believe, the young master's conditions are not enough for such blessing. May I propose that our house shall also be under young master Pier's support?" Pier raised both of his eyebrows in shock
"Pardon?" He could not believe what he had just heard. An entire household as a support for him?
"Ah, I may have been too shallow with my words, young master. House Morata, in partnership with you, the young master, shall support you personally." Lady Morata had no doubts about lining themselves with Pier personally. She was already envisioning a great future with their household if they were to follow Pier.
"We are not a vassal house of house Belmiunde but we will become a supporting household for the young master!" Pier had a bewildered expression on his face. It was his turn to be surprised at the sudden proposal of the other party.
He was merely expecting that he will have Lady Morata do his bidding for revenge in the dressmaking industry and never even dreamed of a house actually supporting him
Houses support each other, especially higher-class noble houses that have vassal houses who are under their wing. These houses will serve as the main house's strength and shield, basically, they will support the main house in what it wants to do and if it finds the action fruitful
'But to have a house only support one person...' This would mean that Pier, as a single individual, will have the ability to vouch for himself in becoming the Crown Prince even though he is not from the royal bloodline. This will signify that Pier will also have greater influence than other noble houses depending on the house that supported him...
'House Morata is a powerful household that is just below the power and influence of a Marquis and Duke's household...' Pier was still processing the offer of Lady Morata
"If you are also worried about the head, the young master then I assure you that my father will agree as well. I am sure that the designs you have handed me and the conditions that we will implement will increase the influence of our household to the level of a Marquis household!" She shared her thoughts with Pier and Pier just stared at her without speaking.
'Just because of some suit design I gained an entire household as a supporter?' Pier started to smile internally at the thought. Even though House Morata will become his personal supporter it will still affiliate with House Belmiunde because he is a Belmiunde himself.
"Then I will accept the generous offer of Lady Morata," Pier stated and the lady had shown a bright smile on her face as well
"Please call me Vivian, young master. We are now partners and our house will soon support you. I will be uncomfortable if the young master will still call me by my house name." She joked and Pier laughed along with her
"Alright then, Lady Vivian." He said as he bowed down and Vivian Morata did the same.
Pier never knew that such an occurrence will become a bomb that will soon destroy the sanity of the entire nobility households.
---
"It's my greatest pleasure to have been welcomed by his majesty himself." The young man bowed elegantly. Prince Asher frowned at the young noble who had just come into the kingdom.
It was the representative of the neighboring and allied empire, Prince Faustino Blanch. He was the second prince of the Belmaid Empire and was to attend the Royal Banquet that was to happen in the next two days.
"You are very much welcome to stay in our kingdom, Prince Faustino," The king said and the young prince smiled at him. Faust and Asher were of the same age but the latter did not even show any signs of friendliness or animosity towards the former. Asher simply did not care about the prince from the Belmaid Empire but rumors circulating on how the second prince was searching for a suitable fiancé became the hot topic for nobles within the kingdom.
"Thank you, your majesty." Prince Faust lowered his head once more before excusing himself and heading towards the entrance of the palace to leave and go to the guest house that was reserved for the prince of the Empire. The Taron and Belmaid Empire had been on good terms for centuries already. The strong bond between the two territories allowed both to grow exponentially over the years.
The Taron Kingdom, which had tons of mines within its territories was the major supplier of luxurious items to the Belmiad Empire while in exchange, the Empire became the strongest ally of the kingdom along with its larger territory and its advantageous location which is the center of the continent. Being at the center of the continent, surrounded by other kingdoms, the Empire grew its influence and became the main trade route for the different envoys from other places.
"Father, I shall attend on my duties as well," Asher said but the king did not even spare him a glance before dismissing him
'Is he still disappointed with what happened last time?' After sending Pier back, the king became disappointed with how things have turned out. His plan to merge the Belmiunde and the Lumiere family into a corporate royal family was now farther in his grasp with the eldest son of the Belmiunde Household declaring he will no longer seek for his son's affections.
'Father will get over soon enough with it.' Asher then proceeded towards the palace doors where the prince from the Empire had taken his leave. He thought that the prince was already gone but saw Faust right outside the door and not moving.
"What's happening?" He questioned himself but soon stopped as well when he saw the other individual that was standing in front of the prince.
It was Pier Belmiunde.
---
Pier shifted his gaze to the golden door that was in front of him. He was once more at the Royal Palace.
'Do I really have to go here?' He was called by the King to practice his performance he will do at the Royal Banquet two days from now.
He walked once more towards the door and the unending stares he got from the servants and minor nobles walking outside the palace were all directed at him.
Sigh
It was already starting to get on his nerves but the unending attention Eliam had on his past life was pretty similar to this as well so he handled it with a high head. The young master from the Belmiunde Household walked towards the palace doors with his confidence soaring despite his name being ridiculed. His confident and calm demeanor intimidated those who dared to look in his direction but it gathered the ridicule of people who do not favor him.
'The young master acts as if he's even welcome here.' Pier guessed what they thought right now. If only Pier was not from the Belmiunde Household, then he would be scorned by everyone in the kingdom right now.
When he reached the doors of the palace, Pier took a deep inhale and released another sigh. He was already stressed enough with practicing magic and he keeps wondering what happened to the voice he heard when he was trying to manifest another form in his wind orb.
Pier was about to grab the handle to open the palace doors when it opened by itself and the luxurious carpet greeted his sight. However, it was not the thing that caught his attention but instead the person who was standing on the opposite side of the palace doors.
'Huh, who's this?' He glanced at the person who was also staring at him. The individual had golden hair that shone elegantly under the sun and he also wore luxurious clothes. His tall frame exceeded that of Pier's and his fair skin complimented him well.
'I can't find him in Pier's memories. He looks like a high-ranking noble though.' He thought before opening his mouth to speak.
"Ah forgive me, sir. I did not know another person was about to come out," Pier said before stepping aside and letting the person pass but the latter did not even move an inch.
Pier glanced at the person and saw the golden-haired guy was also looking at him
"May I know what's your name?" He asked. Pier's eyebrows raised in return. He was surprised that another person from the kingdom did not know his name.
'Well, I do not know his name or what house he came from either.' The young master contemplated.
"My name is Pier Belmiunde, sir," He then smiled brightly at the person. He called him sir because Pier did not know the status of the individual and as a sign of respect.
"Greetings, Sir Pier. You must have been about to meet his majesty as well." Pier nodded his head. His soft dark hair also swayed at the motion of his head.
"You are correct, uh sir -" Pier was about to ask the name of the person who greeted him like they were long-time friends but another individual from inside the royal palace interrupted them.
"Is there something wrong, Prince Blanch?" Pier's ears perked up and he saw the person who had bright red hair come out behind the prince-
"Prince?" Pier asked dumbfoundedly. The person laughed at Pier's expression
"It seems like I forgot to introduce myself, Sir Pier. I am Faustino Blanch, the second prince of the Belmaid Empire," he said and smiled showing his perfect set of white teeth. Pier slowly realized what just happened and immediately lowered his head.
"Forgive me, your highness. I did not immediately realize that it was Prince Blanch with whom I was having a word," he said respectfully.
'The Blanch family was the Royal Family of the Belmaid Empire and based on Pier's memories, the first prince would usually be the one to attend the Royal Banquet yearly!'
"Please raise your head, Sir Pier. It was my fault that I did not introduce myself earlier." He smiled at Pier and Pier released a relieved breath before looking at Asher who was watching them converse
"Greetings, his highness Prince Asher," Pier elegantly bowed to the crown prince of the Taron Kingdom before looking back at the second prince.
"Thank you, Prince Blanch. And you were correct as well, I am about to meet the king." Faust nodded his head at Pier before stepping outside the palace doors. Asher followed behind him but did not even spare another glance at the two individuals before him and left
"Then I will not hold you back any longer, Sir Pier. His majesty must have been waiting for you now." Faust added.