Helos pushed the last prepared drink to the exact center of the table, placing her hands on her hips as she looked up toward the three people sitting opposite her.
Julius, Kyle, and Selina stood in turn around her workstation, with seven or eight small glasses of various shapes neatly arranged on the tabletop, their colors ranging from pale gold to light green, then shimmering with a faint golden-green glow.
The air was thick with a mingling scent of potions and liquor, tempting anyone to take a deeper breath.
“All done, everything’s ready. You can start tasting now.”
Helos clapped her hands, looking quite proud. “But keep in mind, there’s only a little in each glass, so don’t waste it.”
Julius smiled and raised the glass closest to him, narrowing his eyes as he examined it carefully.
“This one looks a bit pale?”
“Yeah, the antidote ratio is a little low, so the honey brew flavor is stronger.”
Helos propped her chin on her hand, watching him tilt his head back and sip lightly.
The young man frowned slightly as he savored the taste, then raised an eyebrow:
“The flavor’s okay, but it’s a bit too sweet. Drinking too much might get cloying.”
“Then it’s probably not suitable.”
Helos hummed thoughtfully and jotted down his opinion on a piece of paper. “Next.”
Kyle, deliberate and steady, lifted the second glass. He took only a small sip, eyes closed as he carefully let the complex aroma spread across his tongue.
He slowly opened his eyes and nodded.
“This one’s more balanced—moderate sweetness, with a faint herbal note after the first taste, but it doesn’t interfere with the flavor.”
Helos’s eyes brightened, and her pen flew across the parchment.
“Got it, noted.”
She looked to Selina. “Your turn.”
The glass in Selina’s hand held the third formula, the liquid gleaming crystal clear.
She sipped, and her eyes immediately lit up.
“This one’s delicious! The sweetness and fragrance are rich, but there’s a lingering warmth from the honey brew. It makes your whole body feel cozy.”
She licked her lip and said seriously,
“I think commoners would really like this flavor, especially in cold seasons.”
Afterwards, they tried various ratios, but overall, they leaned toward the proportions of the second and third formulas.
Helos nodded slightly, already forming a preliminary judgment.
She separated the glasses by taste, setting the second and third glasses aside.
“Looks like these two are the favorites.”
Helos smiled with satisfaction.
“I had this idea from the start—the second one as the high-end option, named ‘Dawn Dew,’ aimed specifically at the nobles. The third one, we’ll call ‘Dew Brew,’ targeted at the common folk.”
“This kind of upper-lower tier distinction helps elevate the sense of quality.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Kyle nodded in agreement. “It satisfies the nobles’ craving for luxury while keeping it affordable for the common people. The market will be more stable that way.”
Selina couldn’t help but laugh.
“The key is that the taste really is good. I think even if the third one’s a bit pricey, people will still fight over it.”
The vampire girl looked at Helos, her eyes full of admiration.
“How about awarding you the title of Genius Mixologist, Second Miss?”
“Thanks for the compliment, but let’s skip that title.”
Helos squinted, shaking her head quickly. “But we do need a complete marketing plan; just the flavor and effect won’t be enough.”
Julius rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment, then said,
“For promotion, why not leave it to Miss Eleanor? She’s got considerable influence in the Noble Circle now, and with the duke’s name backing her—it’s exactly the kind of thing she’s good at.”
“Yeah, that was my thought too.”
Helos’s eyes sparkled as she handed two sample bottles to Julius. “Take these two and go talk to my sister about the next steps.”
***
In Eleanor’s room, sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the desk where the young girl was flipping through the next phase of plans that Lil had helped her record.
At the knock, she looked up to see Julius enter, carrying two bottles.
“Already made samples this fast?”
Eleanor’s voice held a hint of surprise. “Your little sister really is impressive.”
“Yeah, I didn’t expect it to be so quick either.”
Julius placed the two small bottles in front of her.
One contained a pale golden liquid, the bottle adorned with silver filigree, exuding a noble aura.
The other leaned toward a light green, simple in design, with a small hemp rope tied around the wooden stopper, giving it a rustic charm.
“This is the upper-tier drink ‘Dawn Dew,’ and this one is the lower-tier ‘Dew Brew.’”
Julius briefly explained Helos’s concept.
“One for the nobles, one for the common people. Both were mixed by Miss Helos. The taste and effects differ slightly, but both are more than enough to counter the poisons used by the Abyss Cultists.”
Eleanor took ‘Dawn Dew’ with interest and uncorked it, releasing a sweet fragrance that instantly filled the air.
She took a light sip, her eyes brightening.
“The taste is excellent, and… it really does have medicinal effects?”
She rubbed her temple lightly, feeling strength surge through her body.
Next, she tried ‘Dew Brew,’ her expression even more surprised.
“This one tastes good too, though it’s a bit less refined. But for ordinary people, it’s more than enough.”
“Should we have His Grace the Duke try it as well?”
“That would be good, though I doubt he’ll have any objections.”
“Since you say that… oh, right, Miss Helos suggested doing some promotion first. It’ll help the effect spread better.”
Eleanor paused thoughtfully, her slender fingers tapping gently on the desk before a faint, knowing smile curved her lips.
“Good, leave this to me.”
Julius blinked in surprise.
“You already have a plan?”
“Yes.”
Eleanor’s smile was graceful and composed, but sharpness flashed in her eyes.
“I’ve already thought of a very suitable method.”
***
A few days later, the great hall of the Duke’s mansion was ablaze with light.
Eleanor hosted a small banquet in her father’s name, inviting most of the upper district’s elite:
Nobles close to the Duke’s family, senior clergy of the Church, and several powerful guild leaders.
The long table in the hall was laden with delicacies and champagne, while musicians played gentle melodies nearby.
Guests gathered in small clusters, chatting in a warm and lavish atmosphere.
Eleanor wore a pale gold gown as she moved through the crowd, every smile and glance perfectly measured, naturally drawing people in with her aura.
Though only ten years old, not a single person present dared to underestimate her.
Once everyone was seated, she clapped her hands, signaling the servants to bring out several special bottles.
“Ladies and gentlemen, aside from tonight’s banquet, I have a little surprise prepared.”
“Recently, I heard that a red wine called ‘Crimson Dream’ has been spreading throughout the city, which sparked my interest in mixology.”
Eleanor smiled and spoke clearly with confidence.
“This is a new drink I mixed with some friends in my spare time, called ‘Dawn Dew.’”