Chapter 5: Innovation and Wealth

Innovation and Wealth

At the age of 10, I embarked on a project to create a new beverage. Now, at 13, I have finally achieved success in this endeavor. After three years of meticulous work and experimentation, we have perfected the recipe for our special drink. The time has come to present this unique beverage to my father.

When I requested 50,000 Valyrian gold coins from my father, Aemon, for the production of the drink, his response was not surprising. "It's not easy to risk such a large sum, Maegor," he said, his eyes filled with doubt. "Do you truly believe this endeavor will succeed? What assurance can you provide?"

"We've used the variety of fruits from the Summer Isles in our formula, and we've been working on this recipe for years," I explained. "I am confident that this project will succeed. Furthermore, we've completed all the necessary tests before launching it."

My father was not fully convinced by my explanation. "If you fail, you'll have to deal with the consequences," he said. This was a further source of motivation for me. I knew I had to prove the value of our work by presenting the results.

In our secret workshop, we faced numerous challenges in the production of the beverage. Working with Master Elario, we encountered several issues with fruit selection and distillation. His advice, "Success comes with patience and precision. We must learn from every mistake," became our guiding principle. We spent long days testing different fruit combinations to find the perfect formula.

Failures were frequent, but each one taught us something new. Elario and I spent entire days perfecting the recipe. The initial batches of the drink had a harsh and unpleasant taste. However, over time, we managed to find the right fruit blend.

The design of the bottle featured the Lucaerys family's emblem: a red background with a two-headed dragon spewing fire in purple. Each bottle was elegantly crafted and priced at 100 Valyrian gold coins.

As the event day approached, my father began preparations for the grand occasion. Invitations were sent to Valyria's most esteemed individuals, highlighting that the drink was created by our family. My father was heavily involved in handling the guests and ensuring everything was perfect.

On the day of the event, a grand ceremony was held for the first serving of the drink. The initial sip of the beverage was met with great anticipation. When my father took his first taste, he suddenly started coughing. The high alcohol content and strong taste of the drink caught him off guard. This reaction sparked laughter and curiosity among the guests. The drink's potent flavor and high alcohol content became a topic of conversation at the event.

The discovery that the drink turned white when mixed with water created a buzz of excitement. Guests were amazed by this unique quality. The drink's strong taste became more balanced when diluted with water, which added to its uniqueness and solidified it as a special creation of our family.

My father acknowledged the success of the drink with great satisfaction and highlighted its contribution to enhancing our family's prestige. Announcements were made that the drink was a creation of our family, effectively branding it as a family achievement. This strategy helped prevent other families from questioning our success and solidified our place in Valyria's elite beverage market.

At the end of the event, a grand name day celebration was held. This not only marked the success of the drink but also celebrated my 13th birthday. The significant day was both a personal and family success.

On my birthday, I received several luxurious gifts. Among the presents from Valyria's prominent families were a beautifully jeweled sword, a rare handcrafted armor, and a portrait by a famous artist. Additionally, a special belt made from dragon leather, adorned with precious gems, was gifted by one of my father's friends. These gifts symbolized both my personal achievements and our family's elevated status.

The success of the drink and the celebration of my birthday cemented our family's position in Valyria and boosted our hopes for future projects. This significant milestone and the enjoyment it brought became a widely discussed event throughout Valyria.