Proofread by Thomas F
"Thank you, your excellency. I am grateful for the support," I thanked the woman. 'Take care, Lord Silver,' replied the woman from the other side, before cutting the call.
"What did she say?" asked Carla, sitting in front of me.
"On the first day of next week, she will place the proposal in front of the council," I replied, with a smile.
I had pushed for an earlier date, and I have got it. I want the money released as soon as possible. So, I could begin work on the Mage Tower.
"They have gathered," she informed. I nodded and got up before walking out of my room.
It is morning, but the legacy was filled.
More people are arriving, not only tourists, but also others, including businessmen and individuals who want to make Greltheaven their new home.
It is why I have lifted restrictions on some parts of the city. Now, this is only a seventh of the properties.
Many people are buying real estate, driving prices higher, and they continue to rise every day. Many girls had bought a lot of land and properties.
It's going to benefit them tremendously.
Soon, I reached the red door and opened it, before walking inside.
Immediately, the eyes of tens of people fell on me. All Grade I to Trainees were in front of me, along with important staff such as Drev, Stavad, Eudo, and others.
I looked at them all; some, like Grade II's, know what is going on, while others are clueless.
I activated Telepathic Channel, connecting it to the people of Vanis Tavern.
"The past few months had been hard," I said, and took a pause. "The exodus, the undead."
"Many have abandoned us, but you all have stayed, despite knowing the price you could have had to pay. It is something I will never forget in my life."
They have proved their loyalty and even sacrificed their lives for it.
"You are what Velvet Garden is, and with you all, we will forge a new Velvet Garden. The one that will be bigger, grander; something that will evoke awe just with the gaze,"
My words struck a chord. I could see their eyes lighting up in anticipation and hope. They seemed to notice what I had in mind.
A genuine smile bloomed across my face seeing that.
"For this new chapter, many of you will need to take larger responsibilities- roles than I am confident each of you is more than capable of handling!"
Their shining eyes grew even brighter. Blazing with understanding of the opportunities and trust being placed in them.
The significance of the moment settled upon us, and this will be a pivotal moment in the history of Velvet Garden.
The promotions, they will be waiting for.
"Before I announce the promotions. I would like to introduce you to a new hierarchy of Velvet Garden. This structure will make the new Velvet Garden run like a well-oiled wheel," I said, and a moment later, the mist moved.
Gradually, it begins to transform into the text, and soon eight lines of it are formed.
Master/ Heir
Grade I: Grand Madam / Grand Administrator Grade II: High Madam/ High Administrator Grade III: Principal Madam/ Principal Administrator Grade IV: Madam - Administrator Grade V: Vice-Madams/Managers Grade VI: Trainees Grade VII: Initiate
The legacy is going to be very big, and the expansion of the Vanis Tavern will accompany it.
I will need more people and a clear hierarchy.
Earlier, the leadership was divided into four stages. That is sufficient for the current legacy, but it will not suffice for the future one.
I need to start now. So that by the time the new legacy is finished, they will all be ready for it.
Different emotions played across the faces of people as they looked at texts. Some people look happy seeing it, while others are confused, and some even hate it.
It is divided into seven levels, with Carla and me above them.
Each grade had different names. Not all are madams, like Eudo or Stavad; they couldn't be madams, and their earlier title was good for this legacy, but it will be underwhelming for the coming one.
The titles may seem exaggerated, but they will work well with the new legacy.
They will also show our ambitions.
The seven grades will share the responsibilities efficiently. I added one more grade below the trainee and two more in the middle.
"Now that the hierarchy is stated, it's time for the promotions," I said and turned to Caena to step forward with a large, thick violet book appearing in front of her.
She didn't have to do that, but it is for the effect.
I have given this first to Caena and Margaux, and then Grade II. Many of them have seen it and, looking at their shining eyes, they want it as well.
"Trainee Batul Vragg, Lorena Chase, Eryna Hyldarin, Lydia Milleran, Remani Nadis and Selma Dice. You all are hereby promoted to Grade V Vice-Madams," stated Caena.
They have now truly become part of the administration of Velvet Garden.
I could feel the eyes of other trainees. Some looked crushed, their names hadn't been called out, while others still held some hope.
"Eliyen Saelion, Lorle Panach, Lyra Hass, and Rexy Karto. You all are hereby promoted to Grade IV Madams," announced Caena, surprising many, including them.
They have jumped in rank. From trainees, who are now Grade VI, they have become Grade IV Madams or Administrators instead of Vice-Madams like other trainees.
These four are the best of the trainees.
They have proved themselves with their work and are capable of handling significant responsibilities independently, which will now be on their shoulder.
Grade IV is a new grade; they are the only ones in it. Grade IV was a trainee, but the two levels pushed it back.
Now, all eyes turned to Grade III. Many had left among them.
There are only seven that have remained, which is far less than we need. It will be reduced further with Caena's following announcement.
"Alva Brar, you are hereby promoted to High Madam Grade II."
Alva, this girl had made a lot of progress. She was above average, but that incident had changed this teen girl.
She was Mena's assistant and was with her when she sacrificed herself.
Only one had advanced to Grade II.
I would have advanced more girls to top leadership, but I need people in Grade III as well. Now, there are more people in Grade II than in Grade III and Grade IV.
I need to fill these places, and that wouldn't be easy. I would need approximately sixty to a hundred Vice Madams/Managers, comprising around thirty to thirty-five Madams and fifteen Madams/Administrators.
At least twenty Principal Madams, along with numerous trainees and initiates.
I only have a sufficient number of High-Madams. That is why I have started now, with months to spare before the reconstruction of the Velvet Garden begins.
Now, all eyes turned to Grade II. However, nobody was expecting them to advance. The upper hierarchy is pretty much set.
This was further reinforced when the tome disappeared from Caena, and she took a step back.
"Eudo Angestel, I hereby promote you to Grade I," I declared, shocking all.
A triumvirate needs three people. Since I appointed Carla as heir, we became one short. Another person was required there.
He does not want a promotion; he actually rejected it.
He wanted to focus on scripts that were instrumental in our battle against the undead and the responsibilities he already has, but I convinced him.
His appointment will also relieve many people. It will tell them that leadership isn't only for the women of the brothel.
I am going to talk about that subject after I finish with this. Carla and others are not going to like it.
"Thank you for the trust, Master Silver," he said with a bow. "You deserve it, Eudo," I replied, before turning.
"Now, the last thing," I said with a smile and shared the skill. The next moment, surprise and a smile appeared on the faces of people.
A moment later, thick books of different colours appeared in front of them.
Not all of them.. It has only four levels, excluding me and Carla. Since I have already given to Grade I and Grade II, it only appeared in front of Grade III and Grade IV.
I could have given to others, but a different colour represents each hierarchy of tomes; besides, this will motivate those of lower grade to work hard to gain this privilege.
"For the next week, the Grade II's will instruct you. Then you will use them for your duties within Velvet Garden," I stated.
I didn't stay for long. I left them in the care of Grade II's and walked toward my office with Carla and others.
Soon, we were all in my office, and I sorted out the words. They might not like it; Carla is very protective of the girls.
"I think it's time we train and promote other staff of the legacy," I said. I need more people; the number of girls in college is insufficient, considering the numbers we need.
"We already do that," replied Carla. To that, I shook my head.
"I mean, give the same training as we do girls and promote them in the same way as we do with girls," I stated, and she understood.
"Absolutely not!" She replied, with Margaux nodding in agreement.
Saying the girls of the brothel have an oversized influence in Velvet Garden would be an understatement. It would be fair to say they control it.
Even though someone reaches very high, like the girls, their authority remained confined.
Take Stavad, for instance; technically, he is Grade II, but his authority is limited in Velvet Blue. Many of the girls' responsibilities encompass the whole Velvet Garden.
They also wield more direct and indirect influence, which is my fault.
I value them, and people know it as well.
I want to give the others the same opportunity as well. The girls aren't the only ones who are loyal and capable; many others working in Velvet Garden are as well.
"I think it is a great idea. Many complain that they didn't get the same level of opportunities as the girls of Velvet Garden," added Eudo.
Carla and Margaux turned to him, but he didn't cower; he met their eyes with a smile.
That's why I chose him. He respects them, but he won't cower to them like many others would. Nobody, not even old man Hendriks, dared to stand his ground in front of Carla.
I need advisers with different perspectives. It wouldn't be wise to have only girls from the brothel as top leadership and advisers.
His strength is also a plus. He is higher levelled than both Carla and Margaux.
Only Caena is higher levelled than him.
"We have earned those opportunities with our blood," said Margaux.
"I know that, but I am saying, let the others have that opportunity as well, and besides the numbers we need, girls of college are far from enough to fill it," replied Eudo calmly.
Carla opened her mouth, but I tapped on the table gently.
"We need a large pool of numbers that are also loyal to us. There is no need for you all to worry, the number of girls will always be higher; the others won't make up more than a fifth of the numbers," I said.
I don't want to limit the Velvet Garden to girls only. Others are talented, capable in Velvet Garden, and I want to give them a chance.
It will broaden the girls' horizons as they learn from people with diverse experiences.
Besides, the girls have an advantage with their massive numbers, which I could recruit from. We employ a lot of people in legacy, but no one has as many staff as they do, even when we count the guards.
"Fine," agreed Carla finally, and I nodded.
The girls are special to me; they are the most loyal, and I will never forget that.
…
Mariha Baelir
"It's quite a good skill," I said as I looked through the book in front of me.
"It is wonderful. Better than Emporiums; I think it is similar to that of Grade V and Grade VI," said Vanis, mentioning the recently passed Grade IV legacy.
I turned the pages and stopped on the hierarchy. Vanis and I are listed beside Grade II.
"I thought he would make us Grade I," I complained. I am displeased about it. I wanted to be Grade I; I deserve to be on the same level as his top whores.
Only below Silver and Heir.
"I am not surprised. Silver is meticulous and cautious; he would never give us the same authority as the top leaders of Velvet Garden," he said.
"At least, until he is sure of our loyalty," he added.
I am curious about many aspects of Velvet Garden. Especially its size. I am sure he would tell his top whores; it is said, they are aware of everything that goes on in Velvet Garden.
'I wonder if she knows about it,' I thought, and turned to the short woman talking to the staff.
Silver had placed her here. She did not have authority, nor did she interfere in anything. She just watches, which is even more irritating.
I would have been more relieved if she had some responsibilities or interfered.
Instead, she is doing the only job Silver had sent her to do: keep an eye on us. She wondered what Jenna had been telling Silver about her.
We were lost in thought when Adnis walked up to us. The head chef of the Tavern came toward us.
"The last of the package has arrived," he informed, sounding relieved. He didn't have to be worried. If it hadn't come on time, we would have gotten it from Velvet Garden.
Our storages are now connected.
It is not the case most of the time. Especially with the Grade IV throne, but Velvet Garden's vault skill is extraordinarily powerful.
It's connected to our vault. In other words, Greltheaven could either share with us or take anything from our vault. He had asked us to keep that a secret for a while.
"Good, make the preparations," replied Vanis. He nodded and walked away.
"We will need to keep a tight eye on the kitchen," I said, and he nodded.
The kitchen was barely big enough to support the legacy before, but now, with the changes we made, its capacity has nearly quadrupled.
"They will be under immense pressure," he replied, and then walked toward the door before exiting.
In the past few days, the open compound has undergone significant changes.
Now there are beautiful gazebos, long tables, and decorations. The colourful mist is swirling around it all, making it all very beautiful.
There is ample space in the compound that we are using.
Silver didn't say anything, and even when we asked for a suggestion, he said, "Do what we see fit."
He is not saying a single word, and aside from keeping his whore here, he is not doing anything.
At least inside the legacy, outside, he is making all the moves. They have met the different architecture firms, and a tender is being floated.
Vanis says, Silver likes to control every small thing, and the only reason he is letting us do what we want is because he wants to see how we work.
Once he knows, the orders will come.
I was looking over things when my son came toward me. "Mom, Kadril and others left the port," he informed, and a smile appeared on my face.
The merger contract didn't let me bring more than five of my people.
Now, however, legacy is going to get much bigger. I have called my people here. There were some problems, but Silver helped alleviate them.
Once my people came, I would be more relieved.
They are my staff who have worked for me for decades. I trust them explicitly, and with their skills, I will be able to accumulate the influence in the city quite fast.
"Good; ask them to keep in contact with us every day. I want them here, as soon as possible," I replied.
The journey is long and could be dangerous. Knowing their whereabouts will help me deal with any problems they might encounter on the journey.