Elowen, standing nearby, observed the intimate exchange between Astrid and Charlotte.
Her transparent glasses reflected the light from the lamps, and she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The bond between the two had grown stronger over the past month, almost rivaling the honeymoon phase of a newlywed couple.
After exchanging a few more words with Charlotte, Astrid rembered the purpose of her visit.
Turning her head, she noticed a young man erging from the adjacent room. Tristian was dressed in a loose, long robe, his handso face carrying a heroic air.
When his deep eyes fell on Lyra, who stood poised beside Astrid, they lingered for a mont before shifting to the silver-haired princess at Elise's right.
"Good to see you again, Your Highness Astrid."
"Good afternoon, Lord Tristian."
Unlike the warm embrace she had shared with Charlotte, Astrid's interaction with Tristian was far more formal.
They exchanged simple greetings, and without either initiating further, they didn't even shake hands.
Is she trying to play hard to get?
Tristian, feeling rather pleased with himself, looked at Astrid's calm expression, completely unaware that the person before him might not hold much interest in him at all.
But in the end, it is not to bla the Earl Tristian for thinking so. The previous actions of the original Astrid are too deeply rooted in people's minds, making it difficult for him to believe that this imperial princess, who tried her best to marry him just over a month ago, has changed her mind overnight.
There is, but very little.
On the other side, Lyra also pursed her lips, her gaze resting on Astrid's back with great complexity.
Why... did she feel that Astrid didn't seem to like Earl Tristian as much as the rumors suggested?
The coldness the other party showed just now, was she mistaken?
Just as her eyes were about to et Tristian Velmont's, Lyra hurriedly turned her gaze away from the graceful young earl.
It must have been her mistake; otherwise, she would not have been allowed to remain by Astrid's side at all.
The treaty strictly stipulated that she was not to contact the Earl Tristian.
Even if Princess Astrid didn't ntion it, she should try to keep her distance from Tristian, avoiding even looking at him to minimize her presence.
Lyra was an obedient maid who strictly followed the contract.
After a brief greeting to the Earl Tristian, it was ti for the hidden hazard inspection.
Astrid had ntioned so issues regarding the standardization of utensils when submitting the perfu concoction plan, but achieving the level of refinent from her previous life was impossible with the current level of technology.
Moreover, she is a noble princess, not a professional craftsman. It would be unreasonable and impractical for her to draw structural diagrams for Elowen to prepare.
Therefore, based on the original refining equipnt, Astrid made many simplified adjustnts. Though it may seem rudintary, it is highly effective.
Extruders for extracting essential oils, glass dishes for precipitating impurities, airtight containers for aging fragrances, tal filters with fine enough holes... Elowen's business moves were swift...
Astrid inspected each item in turn, ensuring there were no potential hazards that could affect the finished perfu.
She walked along the assembly line in her diamond-encrusted heels, from start to finish, and slightly bowed her head.
"It is worthy of the Velmont family; there is no ambiguity in business."
Originally, Astrid thought she would have to find fault with everything, but the result was completely unexpected.
"Perfu blending and potion making share so similarities. I've carefully studied Her Highness Astrid's written descriptions and learned so things I hadn't considered before, which allowed to construct the equipnt so smoothly," Elowen added at the appropriate mont.
She views the perfu trade as a more affordable alternative to potions, offering the potential for higher sales volu.
Astrid's formulas rely on carefully selected ingredients, each serving a specific and nearly irreplaceable function without the need for costly materials. The only remaining area where expenses can be reduced is labor.
Elowen keenly noticed one point: so steps in the perfu-making process could be replaced with ntal power. However, when it cos to ntal power, peak Apprentices and above mages would need to participate in production, driving the price up significantly. This would far exceed her expected budget.
Ordinary people involved in the work through a fixed process are clearly better suited to this job than hiring an Apprentice mage.
"We've already produced so finished products here. Your Highness Astrid can check them for yourself."
As soon as Elowen finished speaking, Tristian waved his hand to signal a servant to co forward.
Astrid looked at the perfu bottle placed on the storage tray, reached out to take it, removed the cork, and held it under nose to sniff.
A faint mint fragrance greeted her, sweet and dry. The middle tone transitioned into a lingering iris scent that did not disperse for a long ti, followed by the aroma of deodorized light saltgrass.
The clean, pure scent of sea salt spread through the air, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
After a while, Astrid put down the perfu and said in a calm tone, "The aroma is qualified, and the quality is dium to high."
Without the involvent of ntal power, it is quite impressive to produce such a finished product using only ordinary people and simple tools.
Elowen nodded thoughtfully, then exchanged a glance with Tristian. "Perhaps the refining step wasn't executed perfectly. I'll see if I can continue to improve."
After listening to Elowen's words, Astrid nodded slightly, her bright red eyes shining with a faint light.
The assembly line of equipnt and workers in the alchemy workshop already bears the rudints of large-scale machine production from later generations.
However, because magic exists in this world and noble lords have almost monopolized this powerful and mysterious force, it has sowhat inhibited technological developnt.
After all, if sothing can be easily accomplished with magic, why invest significant resources, ti, and energy into developing so-called alternatives?
Looking at the workers standing at their workstations, carefully sorting through raw materials, their necks slightly damp with sweat from the stuffy heat in the room, Astrid thought of the self-heating bathtub in her bedroom, controlled at will, and the water crystals that produced water with a simple touch.
Suppression is suppression, but the spark of wisdom will always burst forth inadvertently, and no one can stop the inevitable progress of production thods.
Of course, the specific direction of developnt in the future may deviate, much like the magic energy equipnt Charlotte is currently researching.
Using magic crystals engraved with runes as a power source, it brings various conveniences to people's daily lives.
Perhaps this world will follow a completely different developnt path from her previous life, one where magic is the mainstay, supplented by machinery, closer to the steampunk fantasy where technology and magic coexist.
Unconsciously lost in thought, Astrid smiled faintly. She mused to herself that today's Valeria Empire resembles the dieval era.
Those innovations that improve life are enjoyed only by nobles, minds have yet to be emancipated, and the true industrial revolution remains in a very primitive, embryonic stage.
Inadvertently noticing the seriousness in Astrid's eyes and the snow-white face that beca even more enchanting in deep thought, Lyra's gaze grew distracted.
When she snapped out of it, she happened to lock eyes with Earl Tristian, who was also montarily distracted.
She imdiately lowered her head, avoiding further eye contact.
Tristian was surprised by his own lapse. He had rely found Princess Astrid quite pleasing to the eye, but when he glanced away, he caught sight of the gentle, innocent maid.
Though Lyra moved quickly, Tristian still noticed a faint hint of rejection in her eyes.
Was he... disliked?
Thinking that Lyra, his sister's life-saving benefactor, was now in this position because of him, Tristian remained silent on the surface but sighed inwardly.
From his perspective, Astrid's targeting of Lyra was entirely motivated by his insignificant act that night.
Although Tristian's intention had been to invite her to dance, it inadvertently caused Lyra to beco the target of Princess Astrid's displeasure.
Tristian was not without redial asures, as evidenced by his decision to follow Lina's advice and arrange for people to protect Lyra's parents.
However, he is only the heir of the family, not the true head, and does not have the authority or resources to openly confront Astrid.
After hesitating for a mont, Tristian abandoned the idea of speaking to Lyra.
In the current situation, the more he communicated with her, the more likely it was to provoke Astrid's displeasure.
Maintaining a distance might help reduce the targeting of the girl.
At the sa ti, Lyra, who was looking down at the ground, had no idea that Earl Tristian had already imagined her being tornted by Astrid.
The innocent girl pushed the image of the silver-haired, red-eyed princess from her mind, while silently pondering the unease she felt when she accidentally t Tristian's gaze as he stared at Astrid.
It was strange... Why did she feel so uncomfortable?
Lyra knew very well that she harbored no feelings of resentnt toward Earl Tristian.
After all, he was Lina's brother and had played a part in protecting her parents. She had no reason to reject him.
She didn't like Earl Tristian, but she couldn't say she hated him either... So why...?
Lyra had never been in love, but she understood that this emotion wasn't the jealousy one might feel when the person they liked looked at soone else.
Instead, it was a sense of deep discomfort, a desire to drive him away from here.
It was so strange.
"Your Highness Astrid, if you're certain there are no issues... It's ti to proceed to the next step..."
Elowen's words brought everyone's thoughts back to the alchemy workshop. Astrid smiled and nodded, her delicate hand gently lifting her collar.
"Well, speaking of which, I've never cut a ribbon since I was a child."
In her previous life, ribbon-cutting ceremonies were typically held for shop openings or ship launches.
She hadn't expected a similar ceremony to accompany the construction of a factory here.
"In that case, this is the first ribbon-cutting in Princess Astrid's life, and I am truly honored."
Elowen handed the scissors to Astrid and led her to the back of the assembly line, where a long cabinet awaited to display the production results.
The tal cabinet was held shut from the outside by a colored ribbon, and Astrid could see that every counter was cleaned and spotless.
"The troubleshooting requires Her Royal Highness Astrid to take a closer look, and it is not suitable for subsequent reactions, so I chose the location of the ribbon-cutting here."
Elowen's voice was steady, and her index finger gently lifted the fra of her glasses.
"It's not a big place, but it's perfect for cutting ribbons."
Holding the slightly cool scissor handle, Astrid glanced back. Everyone's attention was focused on the scissors in her hand; even the head maid, who usually did not smile, raised her ink-colored pupils and looked at Astrid seriously.
"To celebrate our first collaboration," Astrid said.
It was also to celebrate her successful connection with the Velmont family, adding so political leverage to Amalia's ruling career after she ascended the throne.
"Click."
With a clear sound, the ribbons scattered, and after a brief silence, the silent alchemy workshop began the production of perfus for the day.
Astrid looked at the scene in front of her, and the corners of her lips curled up into a beautiful curve.
This is only a small step, but it is the beginning of all the actions that follow.
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