From this, it was clear that Audrey's father, Count Holst, truly doted on his only daughter, giving her so many valuable items just for a hobby.
After Audrey finished her introduction, she turned and asked,
"Sister Altair, do you have any of these special Mystical Items at home? Can I come see them?"
Altair smiled and nodded, saying, "I do have some Mystical Items, but if you want to see them, it will probably be next year. I'm preparing to leave Backlund soon to return to my Ancestral Land for the winter."
Audrey listened to Altair's words and sighed with disappointment, "You're also leaving Backlund to return to your Ancestral Land for the winter."
"Also?" Altair asked curiously, "Isn't your family planning to leave Backlund soon?"
"Mm." Audrey nodded slightly and explained, "Father holds an important position and it's hard for him to get away. Our family hasn't returned to our Ancestral Land for winter in three years; we spend every winter in Backlund."
"However, our family has a manor in the northwest suburbs where the clouds are thin and the sun is bright. Every winter when the temperature in Backlund is too low, we move there, and we also spend the New Year at the manor."
"At the same time, the northwest suburbs of Backlund are also a very famous grape-growing region on the Northern Continent. I'll be able to sit by the fireplace and eat freshly picked grapes then."
'Fresh grapes in winter'—Audrey almost forgot about it. Large manors usually build special greenhouses to grow citrus, grapes, figs, and other fruits for consumption.
But even without a greenhouse, Mother's Pathway, sequence 7 'Harvest Priest,' could catalyze growth. Given the Holst Family's financial resources, they could afford it even if Audrey ate grapes for every meal.
"Tap... tap... tap"
As a knock sounded, Audrey turned to look at the study door and asked curiously, "What is it, Annie?"
Following Audrey's gaze, Altair also turned to look at the door and saw a neatly dressed and capable young girl in a white and black dress.
Seeing both of them looking at her, the girl explained, "Miss Audrey, Count Holst just sent word that lunch is ready."
"He now invites Countess Altair to join him for lunch."
After hearing the maid's words, Audrey turned and said,
"Sister Altair, let's head to the dining room for lunch."
When the two arrived at the dining room, they took their seats directly to the left of Count Holst.
After they were seated, servants brought in platters of food: French onion soup, pan-seared salmon with asparagus, medium-rare steak with truffle mashed potatoes, a fresh fruit platter, and Aurmir wine.
After cutting a small piece of steak and putting it in her mouth, Altair instinctively praised the Holst Family's chef; the steak was indeed delicious.
As lunch progressed, everyone began to chat while eating. Count Holst was the first to ask, "Altair, have you heard about the repeal of the corn laws recently?"
Altair, who was fully focused on cutting her steak, paused her knife slightly when she heard Count Holst mention it, then resumed normally and said,
"I've heard a little. After all, this matter has caused quite a stir. I hear it has moved from a proposal to being taken up by the House of Commons?"
Count Holst softly hummed in response, explaining, "Originally, someone proposed implementing it early this year, but no one took it seriously at the time, and it just faded away."
"But in September, something happened, and the public learned about it, believing it to be beneficial for the country and its people. In October, small-scale protests began, and now they can no longer be suppressed. The cabinet can only let the House of Commons take over first to see if it can be implemented."
"What do you think will be the pros and cons of repealing the corn laws?"
Altair put down her knife and fork and explained to Count Holst, "My family has never participated in these political matters, and I am not yet officially an adult, so I haven't formally joined the House of Lords."
"But calculating from the time the bill is proposed to the vote, I will most likely be an adult and have joined the House of Lords by then. At that time, I will most likely cast an abstention vote."
Hearing Altair's words, Audrey asked curiously, "Isn't this a good thing? Commoners can buy grain at low prices, and the cost of living will decrease."
Hibbert put down his knife and smiled at Audrey, explaining, "The corn laws stipulate that imports are not allowed when grain prices are low; only when they reach a certain high level can imports be used to alleviate grain prices."
"If this law is repealed, at the most superficial level, it will indeed be as you say: the populace will have cheaper grain and won't have to worry about food anymore."
"But it also means that farmers' incomes will decrease."
"Although most of the land is owned by nobles, it is not the nobles who cultivate the crops."
"Once this law is repealed, it means that nobles will lose a large amount of rent, and farmers will also lose the right to sell grain at high prices."
Hibbert saw Audrey's dejected expression and quickly said, "Audrey, you don't have to worry. Our family's main income doesn't rely on these things, so this matter won't have a large-scale impact on us."
The atmosphere at the dining table changed because of Audrey. Count Holst gave Hibbert a sharp look, then turned to Altair and said, "So, do you think this bill will be implemented?"
Altair picked up her knife again, lowered her head to cut the steak, and murmured, "The new factory district has officially started operating, but I believe it can still be expanded."
"What do you think, Count Holst?"
"I agree with you." After speaking, Count Holst picked up his wine glass, began to drink red wine, and asked, "When do you think would be a good time for expansion?"
Altair casually replied while enjoying her meal, "I think the new factory must be expanded within two years at the latest."
"After all, times are always developing rapidly and will not stop for personal reasons."
Count Holst caressed his wine glass and asked,
"What kind of factories do you think should be built in these two years?"
"Steel." Altair blurted out without thinking, "Steel will always be in massive demand, and I hear the Navy has a big project coming up soon. If I could, I'd even trade land for an iron mine."
After Altair finished her steak, she felt her mouth becoming dry and her sense of smell gradually sharpening. She could faintly detect the scent of blood from deeper within the villa.