Ten months passed, transforming a blazing summer into a cold, biting winter. Vermillion City rarely experienced snowfall, but this year was special. The once bustling streets, usually filled with vendors hawking their wares and citizens hurriedly attending to their daily tasks, now glittered with a fresh blanket of snow. Children, with rosy cheeks and bright eyes, played joyfully, building snowmen and engaging in spirited snowball fights. The townspeople, usually burdened by the relentless grind of production and work, found joy in the snowfall, as it had led to a temporary relief in taxes, giving them a rare moment of respite.

  For Zain, this winter was particularly significant. Over the past ten months, he had managed to find an ideal location for his ambitious factory. Although it was situated on the outskirts of the city, nearly beyond its territory, it was a secluded area with very few inhabitants, offering the much-needed secrecy for his operations. The location spanned over a hundred acres of empty land, providing ample room for future growth and expansion.

  Zain had spared no effort or expense for the construction. He had overseen the building of six massive structures, each tailored for different tasks related to the winery. Additionally, he had constructed a large enchanted storehouse for the finished products, comfortable worker quarters, and a grand manor for himself, which included an underground laboratory for his experiments and research.

  All of this, along with recruiting 200 workers and securing raw materials for seven batches of production, had cost him more than half of 'his' money. He named this industrious place 'Goldflow Valley' believing it would become the primary source of wealth for the Gremory Dukedom and envisioned it growing into a bustling business hub, a beacon of prosperity.

  Now, the once barren land was teeming with life. Workers moved with purpose, performing their tasks diligently. Zain had allowed them to bring their families, which led to the establishment of a small, vibrant market near the worker quarters. Here, other family members found employment making wine bottles and crafting intricately engraved boxes, contributing to the community's economy and fostering a sense of belonging.

  It was a typical winter afternoon with a weak, dim sunlight barely piercing through the thick clouds. The six buildings buzzed with activity, each operating at full capacity. The first two buildings were responsible for refining the raw materials and eliminating impurities, ensuring the finest quality. The next two focused on processing and fermenting the raw material, while the last two were dedicated to aging and bottling the exquisite wine.

  Zain, who had turned thirteen eight months ago, now looked like an eighteen-year-old. His rapid physical development often shocked those who knew his true age. His frame had filled out, muscles defined, and his face had lost its childish roundness, replaced by a more mature, determined visage. Currently, he sat in his study, eyes closed, contemplating the myriad details of his intricate plans. The first batch of wine was almost complete, and he eagerly anticipated the first serving, a milestone in his journey.

  'Clack.'

  The sound of the door opening interrupted his thoughts. An eighteen-year-old boy entered the room carrying a beautifully crafted box. He wore a pristine butler's outfit, his above-average appearance complemented by a strong physique and an air of maturity beyond his years. This was Chris, the only son of the loyal butler Morris. He walked up to Zain's desk, placed the box on it, and bowed silently, a picture of disciplined service.

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  Zain opened his eyes to see the elegant box on his desk. It was almond white with a red stag intricately engraved on its surface, a symbol of their house. He opened it slowly, revealing a red glass bottle nestled carefully on white padding to prevent it from breaking. Chris quickly retrieved two wine goblets and a cork opener from the crockery rack, a polished wooden structure standing against the wall. Zain handed him the bottle. Chris opened the cork with practiced ease, and immediately, a mesmerizing fragrance filled the room, rich and inviting.

  He poured the wine into a goblet and took a cautious sip, waiting a few minutes to ensure it wasn't poisoned before pouring a drink for Zain. Over the past ten months, Chris had earned Zain's trust by performing every task to the best of his abilities, never once disappointing him. Although the project was Zain's brainchild, Chris had been the one on the ground, executing the plans meticulously—from sourcing raw materials to hiring workers—all under Zain's precise instructions.

  Zain took a small sip of the wine, savoring its complex flavors before passing the goblet back to Chris. Being still a child, albeit a physically mature one, he couldn't handle the strong wine, and a small gulp was enough to give him a headache for a week. However, his sheer willpower kept him from succumbing to the temptation of drinking the entire bottle. The wine was incredibly addictive, a testament to their hard work and innovation. Duke Izark, his father, would specifically send messengers to get progress reports, eagerly awaiting the day he could taste the first batch.

  "Chris, what do you think of this wine?" Zain asked, his voice calm but tinged with anticipation.

  "Young master, I have accompanied my father and Lord Duke to many noble gatherings and parties, but I have never tasted anything like this. Even its fragrance surpasses all their so-called top-quality wines." Chris replied, his voice slightly slurred, revealing the wine's potent effect.

  "Prepare some bottles of wine and a carriage. I am personally taking it to my father. In my absence, you will be in charge until I return. Also, inform Raina that she will accompany me."

  Soon, all the preparations were complete. The carriage, a sturdy yet elegantly decorated vehicle, was readied. Zain, dressed warmly for the journey, left alongside Raina and a few handpicked guards.

  ---

  A few hours later, in Vermillion City, Duke Izark waited for Zain in his study with Morris by his side. The room was grand, with tall bookshelves lining the walls, filled with volumes of history, strategy, and law. A roaring fireplace added warmth to the otherwise cold stone room. Izark had already received news of Zain's arrival. Soon, Zain entered the room with Raina in tow. Both Zain and Raina bowed deeply to him, and at Zain's gesture, Raina presented the exquisitely crafted wine box. Izark was momentarily taken aback by the beauty of the box. He inspected it briefly, admiring the craftsmanship before opening it.

  Morris brought forward a goblet and poured the wine into it for the Duke. Given that it was brought by Zain, checking it for poison would have been an insult, so he refrained from doing so. Duke Izark savored the delicate and mouthwatering fragrance of the wine before taking the goblet and gulping it down in one go.

  The heavenly taste of the wine made his body shiver with delight. It was truly the queen of all wines he had ever tasted. It took him a few minutes to come back to his senses, the exquisite flavors lingering on his palate.

  "I award you 100 acres of land for the winery and its surroundings. You can now do everything freely without needing my permission. It's your land. Kid, this stuff is really addictive." Izark declared, his voice full of admiration and pride.

  Everyone in the room, except Izark, was shocked to the bone. The Duke was well-known for his stinginess when it came to money. If not for saving face, he would have even haggled with hawkers over a single gold coin. But here he was, giving out generous rewards without any hesitation. This spoke volumes about the wine's unparalleled quality. Zain's eyes shone with excitement. He knew he had struck a gold mine but hadn't realized it also contained rare gems.