Iris Flower Winery

On Saturday afternoon, Angel arrived early at Iris Flower Winery in Backlund's northwestern outskirts. At her new estate, she welcomed a luxurious carriage bearing Earl Hall's coat of arms and met Audrey Hall, who had accepted her invitation.

The winery and its extensive vineyards had originally belonged neither to Angel nor, naturally, to Baron Cinderas. They had belonged to a friend of the baron's, Coal Merchant Winster, who had once invited Angel to visit another of his estates.

The merchant, a newcomer to Backlund who had attached himself to Cinderas, had heard that the baron was looking for a gift for a young lady. He had enthusiastically offered his newly purchased winery, complete with the aged wines in its cellar, winemakers and estate servants whose employment contracts had already been signed, for a total of 35,000 pounds.

As for this "apology" from Baron Cinderas, who had nearly jumped to his death in Angel's home after being hypnotized by a Manipulator, Angel had gladly accepted it.

Although annual repairs, maintenance, and labor costs amounted to several thousand pounds, the winery could produce large quantities of fine wine. Some could be sold to offset the costs, while the rest could supply the various dinners and balls Angel hosted. It was a sure investment.

Standing before the four-story villa, surrounded by gardens and fountains, Angel gazed at the seemingly endless vines beyond the fence. She felt as though her pockets were stuffed with gold pounds and took a deeply satisfied breath.

"I've heard my father and brother mention this winery. It's a little larger than the Negan family's Meige Manor, and even rivals some royal estates. Although it only has vineyards and no additional woodland for autumn hunts, its soil is more fertile, and the wine it produces is better."

Beside her, Audrey