Allocation

At dawn, the Mage Tower Carriage carrying Annan and Michael drove into Tree Sea Manor and stopped before the Steps.

The old Butler directed the servants as they carried the Susan Spinning Machine, covered in oilcloth, into the hall.

Annan stepped down from the Carriage, clutching a rose behind his back. He wasn't hiding it to surprise Lady Fine Wine; he was simply shy about giving her flowers.

"I'll stay here."

Michael leaned against the Carriage. He didn't want to interrupt Lady Fine Wine's "meal."

Annan waited a little in the Living Room. Lady Fine Wine appeared on the stairs, as beautiful as ever, and descended with her skirt gathered in one hand.

Holding the thornless stem of the rose, Annan looked up as she came toward him.

"Our Sorcerer boy knows how to charm women now." Lady Fine Wine chuckled and accepted the rose, its petals still beaded with dew.

A maid deftly brought over a vase, and Lady Fine Wine placed the rose in it.

"Would you rather chat first, or discuss business?"

"...Business first."

Michael was still outside, getting in the way.

Annan pulled back the oilcloth. A machine unlike a traditional spinning wheel appeared before Margery and the old Butler, crude yet possessed of a curious beauty.

Annan turned the wheel, and ten Spindles began spinning at once, producing Cotton Yarn ten times faster.

The strands of Cotton Yarn converged like a whirlpool, making it hard to look away.

"The Susan Spinning Machine. Even a female worker can operate it alone, and it's ten times as efficient as the old spinning wheels, and five times as efficient as the best ones available today."

Lady Fine Wine glanced at the old Butler. He walked over to the now-still spinning wheel, examined the Cotton Yarn the Susan Spinning