City of Desire

Eva Charles

"I wish one of us had stayed here for at least a few days longer, Mom," said my daughter.

"Me too, but I have to go back to Greltheaven, while you will leave with Lady Carla," I replied to her.

Initially, she was going to stay here for a few days, but since Lady Carla is now leaving for Namdar, she is leaving with her. She doesn't have to, but it will help her a lot to learn a few things from Lady Carla.

My daughter has proven herself; she is the one who now handles the business. fгeewebnovёl.com

With me focusing on our store in Velvet Garden and now here.

I didn't have to be in Greltheaven, but tomorrow is an important day, and Remus said I shouldn't miss it. If I am guessing right about what he is planning, then I really don't want to miss it.

"The store is in good hands. Madam Eliyen is capable, and Dunnet is experienced," she said.

In Velvet Garden, we handle our stores. Here it is slightly different. This is Twilight Hall, and things work differently here. It will be a model he will adopt outside of Greltheaven.

We were talking when our server finally arrived. He is a young dwarven man with long bronze hair and a thick beard.

He is holding a large tray in his thick hands.

"Here is your miners' meat pie, stone-grilled sausages, and iron-skilled goat with deepdelve stout," he said as he placed our food and drinks in front of me.

"Thank you," I said.

"Enjoy your meal." He said and walked away, while I turned to the food.

"Is this really dwarven food?" asked Cara, looking at the dishes in front of us, on iron plates and dark ale. The food does not look as fancy as the dwarven restaurant we used to go to, despite the mist infused in it.

"It is real dwarven food, unlike the diluted one we eat in Namdar," I replied.

Everything here is original in this Dwarven Ale Hall. An actual dwarf architect, who has expertise in mountain taverns, developed and runs it. The staff are dwarves, and so are the food and drinks it serves.

Most of which come from the dwarven lands.

I looked around and couldn't help but sigh in admiration. It is cavernous like a traditional dwarven hall, with rock brought from the mines.

It had a massive stone archway and stone pillars, carved by a dwarven artist, with iron-banded oak doors at the entrance that required quite a bit of strength to push open.

The ceiling is low, but I was told it is slightly higher than a traditional dwarven hall.

So that even a giant blood could comfortably walk in here, while the floor is polished basalt, reinforced with runes.

It will not crack, even with regular strikes of a hammer.

There is a massive stone fireplace and iron braziers, with coals burning and mist swirling around them, creating a beautiful ambiance.

The bar counter is a single slab of massive stone, with barrels of ale embedded in the wall behind it, and bronze taps with ram heads through which liquor would flow.

Our table is also made of stone, while the chairs are of thick oak, with bronze rivets.

I took a bite of the food and immediately closed my eyes, as earthy, meaty flavors hit me, and with them came the emotions. "The meat pie is fantastic," I said.

"The sausages are incredible as well," she stated with shock, before taking a bite of the meat pie and closing her eyes.

I smiled and took the wooden mug in my hand before taking a sip of stout. As the dark liquid hit my tongue, I tasted it. It has a smoky, earthy, roasted flavour.

They are layered perfectly and smoothly, so I took another sip without even releasing, relishing the taste and the memories, the emotions it brought.

"I am really envious. You get to eat such fantastic food every day," she said, looking at me with envy.

Before Velvet Garden, a legacy was a privilege: I used to visit only on special occasions and had to book months in advance, but with Velvet Garden, it's not a problem anymore.

It isn't just Velvet Garden; it's every legacy because of my connection to it.

I instantly gain legacy admission to any legacy, be it in Namdar or the Merchant States. Even in other kingdoms, I get easy access. If I didn't, I just need to call one of the madams.

"It is a privilege," I replied.

I understand the value; even powerful people didn't have it.

Soon, we finished lunch and walked out of the crowded Dwarven Ale Hall. It is completely occupied, and it will remain as such as long as it is open.

Even war wouldn't stop it.

That is what legacies are: enchanting, mesmerising, captivating, that everybody wants to be here.

We walked out of the thick door into a completely different environment. Not only is the interior different, but the flavour of the legacy's power is, too.

Every hall transports one to a completely different environment. It is like one legacy giving the flavour of ten.

It's different from Velvet Garden, which mostly follows a single architectural and interior style. That suited Velvet Garden, and this suits Twilight Hall.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Even now, I can't believe how truly huge the legacy is.

I still remember the first time I came here. Over two decades ago, I came here with my husband. It took us over two years to get a booking, even after using some of our connections.

It was a small legacy, enchanting and mesmerizing.

It left such an impression on us that we talked about it for days and weeks. However, this one will leave such an impression that people will talk about it for months or even years.

Soon, we reached the elevator and stepped into it.

Unlike other elevators, it's empty. It is for high-level staff, special guests, and those with sufficient access. I have greater access than any store owner.

Greater than even Elese Cain, my partner at Eva Cain.

The elevator stopped, and we stepped into the grand store. It's large and beautifully decorated. The paint and gem work on the walls is the most enchanting aspect of it.

Many artists from Velvet Garden and store owners took part in it, including myself.

The metal and gem work is mine. I also helped Ilmyr with the chandeliers, Hayden with the ceramic plate, and others with their things, as they helped me.

In Velvet Garden, we have developed a collaborative network.

Individually, we do not have all the expertise. So, when we require others' help, we ask them.

Collaborating helps all, but there are conditions. The two most important are: first, no poaching; second, not stealing others' techniques.

Velvet Garden enforces it.

All follow it without trying to find a way out of it, because the store owners know Remus will throw them out without hesitation if they try anything.

The Twilight store differs from the stores in Velvet Garden. We do not have our own store here.

Here, it is just sections, all of which are combined seamlessly with the store in an open style, with everything here, from the smallest to the biggest item, is mist crafted.

All of them are Grade I to Grade III, not Grade IV. Those things will be sold in Velvet Garden.

The only exception is exhibition pieces.

We walked through the store, talking to people now and then, as many recognised me. There are many people in the store, but it is not crowded.

The entry here is restricted, and shopping has a limit. One cannot buy too many things.

Mist-crafted goods are in outrageous demand, while we have a large stock. It wouldn't last even a week if we let people buy as much as they want.

People are moving around, admiring the things. I could see the shine in their eyes as they looked at the goods.

Artisans at Lv. 20 or higher have handcrafted every piece; it is a minimal requirement to work in legacy, or one needs to be very good to impress the madams.

"I nearly forgot, Bar's birthday at the end of the week," I said and took a turn toward Hayden's Ceramic.

Bar is my oldest staff member; she is the first person I hired. She is the majordomo of my house in Namdar. I wanted to bring my daughter to Greltheaven, but I needed someone to take care of my daughter.

She sometimes got so busy at work that she forgot to take care of herself.

Soon, we reached the store, which has a meter-long ceramic plate as a centrepiece. It's a pure white with blue rose designs embedded in it.

It's so beautiful that I want to stare at it.

It's a centrepiece of the store, the only one that is mist-crafted by Grade IV mist.

"Eva, Cara,"

We had just entered when a small blond woman in her early forties called us.

"Mrs. Hayden," Cara greeted. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Bela?" she said and turned to me.

"I didn't expect to see you before you leave tonight." I smiled. I have become good friends with this woman. I taught her a few things, and she taught me, helping me take my craft higher.

"I had to buy a gift for my staff," I said, and she looked. She is asking how important the person is. "I consider her a good friend," I supplied.

"Then I would suggest this beautiful emerald green tea set," she said, and picked up a beautiful tea set.

It is crafted from fine white porcelain, its smooth surface adorned with delicate hand-painted emerald-green vines. It is a large set that is enough for a small tea party.

Bar loves tea, and this will be a perfect gift for her.

"It has heat regulation, retention, and burn protection, along with material reinforcement enchantments. It will not crack, even if it falls from the table," she informed.

Hearing that, a smile appeared on my face.

"Thank you, Bela," I replied. "How much do I owe you?" I asked, and the woman's smile turned crafty, and I knew what was coming, and I really hoped she wouldn't say that in front of my daughter.

"I will give it to you for free if you tell me who your lover is." It is not the first time she has asked me this question.

"Even you don't know?" asked Cara, and I wanted to massage my head.

"Oh, she didn't even tell you? Oh, Eva, you didn't even tell your daughter," she said, and I glared at the woman.

My daughter had been asking me about it for months. I didn't tell her, but like this woman, she could tell that I have someone.

A very few people know, only the top Madams, and they let nothing related to Remus slip. As for others finding out. It's impossible; nothing could leak into legacy if Remus didn't wish it.

He wanted to open up about it, but I did not. I am not ashamed, but I am worried about him and how it will affect him.

People see him as the Lord of the Throne, a man who controls a large territory and is powerful, but they don't see the dangers that surround him.

He told me a few things. It made me feel scared for him, and I became more protective. I do not want to add more stress to him than he already has.

"I will pay you back in Greltheaven," I stated and walked out of her store with the tea set in hand.

"You shouldn't keep a secret, Mom. Especially not from your daughter," said Cara, and I turned to the girl. "I will tell you when you find yourself a good man," I replied, and she glared.

A few minutes later, we reached the centre of the store, which is an open area with a tree in the middle.

It is my tree, the tree that I had in Greltheaven.

Miss Rolgath had said that it would look great in the store, and when Remus asked, I agreed.

It had changed a lot since I had brought it to Greltheaven. I had infused a lot of mist into it with Remus's permission, which gave it a lifelike quality.

Especially the chime sound its leaves make, it infuses it with the power of emotions that enthrall whoever hears it.

There are many people around it, admiring it.

"This is your finest creation, and the mist had taken it to another level," said Cara before sighing. "It is, but it won't be for long," I replied.

Remus had commissioned a piece for the Velvet Garden, and it's going to be magnificent.

It's been three months; I have been working on it. The design is nearly finished, and once that is done, I will begin on the piece.

I am honoured that he gave me a chance when there are so many artists who would be ready for such a commission.

We looked at it for a few seconds before entering.

"Eva Cain had a profound effect on our business; this year, we are going to break last year's record," said Cara as she walked around the store with me.

It had a greater effect than I had thought.

"Much of the credit goes to you. You had used this chance well," I replied, patting her head, which made her glare at me. She doesn't like it when I do it in public.

"With the profits we are getting, I am thinking about buying a group of small companies."

"A talented artist heads each of them, but they are not commercially successful," she said. Talent and good design aren't enough to open a successful business.

"It's a good idea. I have a feeling. We are going to need them," I replied.

Remus didn't tell me all, but I could guess a few things, and it had made me very excited.

Soon, we stopped in front of the house's chief attraction; it was what most of us looked at, admiring it with bright eyes.

"You and Elese outdid yourself with this one," she said, and I smiled with pride.

In front of us, a mannequin wearing a gown, not a regular gown, but one that is fully inlaid with fexan opals, which are shining beautifully in their kaleidoscopic colours.

It required five people to make this gown, all of them Lv. 30 or higher, with Miss Cain and me doing most of the work.

Miss Cain rarely works on dresses; she focuses on designing them, but for this, she picked up her tools. We desired to create something together.

We have our responsibilities sorted; she handles the clothes while I handle the jewellery.

For this, we came together and created something amazing.

All the material is of the highest quality and very expensive. Every thread, metal, and gem is infused with mist. It had a lot of time, but it was worth it.

"This is it! This is going to be my wedding gown!" said the voice from behind.

I turned and saw a familiar face looking at me, while the woman beside him was staring at the gown, with the kaleidoscopic light of opals shining in her eyes.