The First Vampire

The cries echoed across the field, where a middle-aged servant, huffing and puffing, ran over to Claude and pulled him towards Winter Spring Castle.

“Uncle Mark, what is the matter?” Claude, completely confused, asked as they ran.

“The master wants to see you…no…it’s a distinguished guest, a distinguished guest is asking for you! Hurry, we must run faster!”

“Why does a distinguished guest want to see me?”

“I don’t know.”

Seeing that he couldn’t get any further information, Claude suppressed the restlessness in his heart and raced back to the castle at top speed.

As soon as he entered, the serious-looking butler gave an immediate order: “Someone! Take Claude to freshen up and prepare some decent clothes for him.”

Before Claude could ask any questions, he was escorted off to the washroom by two muscular maids.

This was the first time in Claude’s life that people had served him during his grooming. Although the two maids were old enough to be his mother, he was hesitant and anxious throughout the whole process.

After the entire ordeal, when Claude stepped out of the washroom, he had transformed into a refined and dashing young man.

“Follow me.”

The butler reappeared, leading Claude to the restaurant.

Claude stared at the completely transformed restaurant, a little stunned.

Exquisitely carved rosewood furniture had replaced the old furnishings, golden candlesticks filled with snow-white candles sat in the corners of the hall, and the coarse flax curtains had been completely replaced with brand new cashmere ones.

It seemed a truly distinguished guest had indeed arrived.

Seeing the servants seemingly trying to concentrate all the castle’s luxury into this restaurant, Claude began to feel unease in his heart.

“Why does such a distinguished guest wish to meet me?”

“Claude?”

A young lady walked into the restaurant entrance. She wore a red fine flax dress, her hair tied up in a bun that accentuated her round and slender neck, her face slightly made-up, softening her otherwise harsh features.

“Miss Kerry!” Claude’s eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed to greet her.

“You should be calling me ‘Lady,’ Claude,” Lady Kerry said with a laugh. Then her expression turned serious. “The Duke of St. Hilde and Viscount Angler will see you shortly. Answer their questions honestly, don’t be talkative, and do not be disrespectful.”

“Yes, Lady Kerry!” Claude quickly bowed his head in reply.

Lady Kerry was the daughter of Baron Grant. She had married, but her husband tragically died in a hunting accident. A young widow, Kerry returned heartbroken to Springs Town.

Although Claude really wanted to ask Lady Kerry why the two distinguished guests wanted to see him, he didn’t dare to ask. Instead, he stole glances at the young woman standing beside him.

The faint smell of roses lingered around his nose, making Claude’s anxious heart suddenly become heated.

Lady Kerry noticed Claude was stealing glances at her but said nothing. She turned and began chatting with the butler.

Even though she was only a widow who’d been married once, she was still a woman far beyond the reach of commoners like Claude.

As time passed, the servants came in one by one, bringing all kinds of delicious dishes to the restaurant.

There was golden roasted pork leg, fragrant salmon sprinkled with spices, mouth-watering steak, an assortment of selected fruits, and vintage wine that had been cellared for many years.

Around six o’clock, Baron Grant led the night’s distinguished guests into the restaurant.

After everyone was seated, Baron Grant made a toast and enthusiastically introduced Vera and Colin to the delicacies on the table, particularly the dishes made with pork as the main ingredient.

Colin, of course, knew that he was promoting the New Agrarian-Pastoral System developed by his brother, the scholar Sunny.

While chuckling and playing along, he couldn’t help but admit that the bond between the Grant brothers seemed much stronger than any other siblings he had observed since his transmigration two years ago.

Scholar Sunny, however, was rather quiet. Perhaps he thought his brother’s boasting was a bit over the top, as he surreptitiously shot him a few glances that seemed to say—You’ve already sold it, there’s no need to keep overselling…

Whether or not he understood his brother’s implication, Baron Grant eventually toned down his enthusiasm. With a sudden change of subject, he gestured to the bashful Claude who was sitting at the end of the long table.

“Viscount, didn’t you express interest in meeting the Grant Family’s papermaker? This gentleman here is Mr. Claude.”

Claude seemed to zone out until a slight kick from Hans under the table brought him back. Realizing that everyone was looking at him, he sprung up in a panicked flurry, hastily bowing in respect.

Intently sizing up the young servant, Colin inquired in a gentle tone: “Mr. Claude, is it true that you are the inventor of the parchment used in the Baron’s study?”

Claude stuttered hastily, “Yes, no… Viscount, actually, it was my father’s invention… I just made a few modifications…”

“Viscount, Mr. Claude’s grandfather was the papermaker at Winter Spring Castle. For nearly a century, three generations of them have served the Grant Family with dedication and competence.” Baron Grant took the opportunity to explain, also not missing the chance to praise his own servant.

Colin nodded, then turned to Claude to ask: “Could you tell me how you made this kind of parchment?”

Claude promptly responded: “Viscount, I used mulberry bark and flax cloth, first stewed them, then cut and pounded them into pulp. I formed sheets of paper by screening the pulp and then dried them.”

The young papermaker’s detailed explanation surprised Colin a bit.

However, people of that era barely had any notion of patent rights. Claude probably had no idea of the immense value his invention held.

Of course, however valuable it may be, it didn’t have much to do with Claude, as he was a servant of the Grant Family. Strictly speaking, the papermaking technique was the property of the Grant Family.

“Mr. Claude, this papermaking technique is a remarkable innovation. I admire your intelligence and capability!” Colin praised, then turned to Baron Grant, “Baron, I am interested in purchasing the secret formula for this papermaking technique. Would you be willing to part with it?”

Actually, Colin wanted to buy the papermaking technique not only to make money but also to issue bonds.

He had been a bit worried because if he wanted the bonds to circulate as a form of shadow currency, he would need to issue them in large quantities and denominations. Doing so on parchment would drive the cost too high.

But using the paper that Claude invented would solve that problem. From Claude’s detailed explanation earlier, Colin could tell that the cost of producing this type of paper definitely wouldn’t be high.

Moreover, if the St. Hilde family alone mastered this papermaking technique, it could prevent others from counterfeiting bonds.

It was a win-win situation.

“Of course.” Baron Grant, unaware of the value of this papermaking technique, said generously, “You do not need to pay. Consider it a gift to the St. Hilde family!”

Such extravagance made Colin a bit embarrassed.

Taking advantage of a sincere person always made Colin feel a bit guilty.

“Baron, how about this? We make a deal. You transfer this papermaking technique to me, and I will give you thirty percent of the profit earned from it,” Colin proposed.

“You are too generous!” Baron Grant, seeing Colin’s insistence, did not refuse any further.

But he could never have imagined the immense fortune he had unintentionally secured for the Grant Family.

Subsequently, Baron Grant told Claude, “Claude, since the Viscount has purchased this papermaking technique, you should go with him to the North Territory.”

Seeing the deal come through, Colin felt pleased. He also asked Claude: “Mr. Claude, I admire your intelligence. Would you be willing to follow me to the North Territory? I can assure you that you will have the opportunity to showcase your talent there.”

Claude dared not refuse and hastily agreed. However, he stole a surreptitious glance at Lady Kerry. Unfortunately, Lady Kerry wasn’t even looking at the young paper maker. So, Claude quickly lowered his head, concealing his disgruntlement.

Colin noticed this little detail and chuckled inwardly.

However, he didn’t plan on playing matchmaker, especially considering that Claude, given his current status, simply had no hope of a lofty match.

But perhaps it wouldn’t be long before Claude earned the eligibility to marry a Baron’s daughter.