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Chapter 22
Since we had tickets for first class, the carriage was empty except for Bay and me. It was the perfect place for a conversation. Drawing the curtains over the window overlooking the corridor, Bay started speaking.
“They contacted us from the Azeid Guild after word got out about the Alexandrite.”
“What did they say?”
“They said they want to buy the mine. They said they’ll pay whatever price we ask, so we should sell it.”
Even if they offered billions, I had no intention of selling.
With just this one gemstone, Demeter could obtain a value greater than billions. The Azeid Guild, with their sharp businessman’s eye, had clearly recognized this too.
“At first, they arrogantly tried to undercut me, probably thinking I didn’t know any better. So I gave them a solid rejection.”
I should have seen that coming… what a shame.
“So, you spread the rumor that the Azeid Guild contacted you as well?”
“Of course. They wanted it publicized.”
“Yes, that way it would attract even more attention. The Azeid Guild, which practically monopolizes the current gemstone trade, coveting this gem… even if people didn’t like it, everyone would start paying attention.”
This was how the name would be made known. A gem that shines with two different lights. People might find it interesting, but they could also dismiss it as nonsense if it sounded too far-fetched.
That was why we intentionally spread the rumor closer to the time when the item would be publicly revealed.
If the Azeid Guild, which monopolizes gems, wanted it, they’d instinctively recognize its massive potential impact.
As expected, they reached out, and the rumor would grow even more sensational and start circulating throughout high society.
“May I ask how you plan to promote it?”
“It’s nothing complicated. In fact, it’s quite simple. There’s the autumn banquet coming up, right?”
Since the empire of Hwangdo was the only place on the continent with clearly distinct seasons, festivals were held to thank the gods for each seasonal blessing.
The festivals—spring, summer, autumn, winter—were large enough to draw visitors even from other countries.
Summer and autumn were short, so the festival periods only lasted about a week.
Still, they were as magnificent as the spring and winter festivals. Even the royal palace hosted parties, which was crucial.
When a seasonal party was held at the palace, nobles dressed to impress, flaunted their wealth, sought partners, and built connections. The temple authorities also attended the seasonal banquets.
Unless there were special circumstances, any noble had to attend the banquet for at least one day.
“At the upcoming palace banquet, we plan to select a prominent figure as a model.”
“A model?”
Ah, the word “model” doesn’t really exist here.
“I mean someone to showcase the gem. At night, there’s a time when everyone goes outside the hall to admire the stars and give thanks for the season. It’s perfect for showing how the gemstone looks different during the day and night.”
By then, the weather would be chilly, and nobles would retreat to the glass-domed greenhouse garden.
Inside, tables were arranged so guests could sit and admire the sky in small groups.
To appreciate the night sky, only soft lighting was used—no other lights were turned on.
It seemed to be the same for both nobles and commoners. The difference was only in the extravagance of the venue. At night, all lights except enough to see ahead were turned off.
Still, it was good to double-check, just in case…
“As you said, Coco, the autumn banquet is the perfect day to promote the Alexandrite. Bright lights are off in the greenhouse to avoid disrupting the viewing experience.”
Even without asking, that confirmed it.
“Using someone to promote it precisely on the day of the autumn festival is a clever idea. It’s one of the days when the most nobles in the empire gather. Have you decided who will have the honor?”
Even I, unfamiliar with the noble world, knew the names of a few famous people. I didn’t know what they looked like, but I had heard their names many times.
An ordinary noble wouldn’t do. We needed someone whose mere wearing of the gem would raise its value.
Such nobles would naturally have discerning eyes, and it was clear that ordinary gems wouldn’t satisfy them.
Thinking that way, there was no need to search further.
Among those who fit the criteria, three trend-setting figures came to mind immediately.
Since many nobles frequented the temple, news naturally reached us.
Names often mentioned because nobles copied their clothes or jewelry, the most famous in society.
Even I, not a noble, knew them.
“The Empress, Her Highness the Princess, and Delphin of the Pallad family. But there’s been no recent news about Delphin…”
Of the three, Delphin, the head of the Pallad family, probably had the most influence.
Everything she wore—unusual clothing and jewelry—set trends.
But there had been no news about her for the past two or three years.
“She’s busy with personal matters, so she won’t attend this banquet.”
No wonder a fleeting warmth crossed Bay’s face and vanished.
Bay, with her wide connections and knowledge, being aware of noble affairs wasn’t surprising, so I didn’t press her. Besides, since it was personal, I couldn’t pry further.
“Among those who contacted us, did the Empress and the Princess reach out?”
Thanks to Azeid, the rumor had snowballed, likely reaching even the royal palace.
They would be desperate to obtain the gem first, by any means.
Since we maintained the concealment concept, we had informed them that contacting the Asura Guild would reveal information, so surely they had reached out.
“Both of the two you mentioned have made contact.”
“Then we can gift them the necklace and hair ornament.”
Although the items were precious, the promotional effect made it worth it.
Since it was the first time, visibility was the most important thing. If the Princess and Empress wore them at the banquet, orders would pour in afterward.
The gems looked different by day and night, so the jewelry wouldn’t need to be changed even if the dress changed—a huge advantage.
Nobles often wore different outfits for day and night…
Impressive. That much wealth, indeed.
“Then I’ll send the gifts as soon as possible.”
“I’d like us to include our guild’s name and logo on the business card as well.”
“A business card?”
I made a small rectangle with my hands to explain.
“It’s a piece of paper indicating your name, address, occupation, or status. You hand it to someone you meet for the first time to introduce yourself. It’s like a status token but lighter, smaller, and more practical.”
Status tokens were carved, stamped with the royal emblem, and made from materials according to rank: wood for commoners, bronze for upper-middle commoners, silver for nobles, and gold for marquises and the royal family.
When I mentioned business cards and briefly explained them, Bay’s eyes lit up as if she’d discovered something brilliant.
“Including a card with the gift will definitely leave Demeter’s mark.”
This was the beauty of modern fantasy. Following strict medieval accuracy, paper would be extremely rare, but here, with money, everything could be bought. Paper too.
If you monopolized business cards, you could make decent money collecting a fee whenever someone printed one.
“But I won’t make too many. They shouldn’t become common on the streets.”
Once outside the modern world, they shouldn’t be as plentiful as discarded cards on the streets.
“We’ll make them luxurious with gold embossing, and only give them to Demeter clients.”
“This isn’t just for promotion, right?”
“Of course not. As I said before, they can be used to briefly introduce oneself.”
Then it would be perfect to add gold shading on the water buffalo horns and face.
Just as I was about to share the idea, Bay grabbed my hand.
“How ingenious you are!”
“…Excuse me?”
“A business card. I never thought of making one. Just handing it over serves as an unavoidable introduction, saving time.”
Bay praised even the smallest things, looking at me as if I were admirable. I said:
“Feel free to use it. As long as it helps you and Venus, I don’t mind.”
I even thought charging a small fee for a card would be petty.
I am petty, but still.
“We’ll need someone to make the cards professionally.”
Even with a monopoly, there were always people who’d copy it with slight variations. Even copyright wouldn’t help if they deviated from the standard.
So Bay decided to open a store specializing in business cards first. Since it was my idea, I provided a small sum as compensation, including the explanation for the cards.
She insisted this could be profitable. I refused at first, but she said money given by her shouldn’t be refused.
Right, money shouldn’t be refused.
So I accepted gratefully. I also gave Bay the final design of the pattern I had envisioned and suggested adding gold embossing.
“I’ll show you the samples as soon as they’re ready. I’ll also show the completed logo.”
“I’m a little excited.”
“It’ll go well. Don’t worry too much.”
Bay seemed more confident about the business than I was. Well, with two experienced businesspeople so attentive, there wasn’t much reason to worry.
So far, in the plan we discussed, she had only pointed out improvements, not flaws, so the strategy seemed solid, which put me somewhat at ease.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you one thing while focusing on the cards.”
“What is it?”
“The Princess. She’s two years older than the Crown Prince, and she’s the real deal.”
“The real deal?”
“Madness.”
“…Ah.”
“You’ve heard of her, right?”
“Yes, she’s famous.”
One of the Princess’s well-known nicknames was “eccentric.” Yet she was adored by the Emperor and Empress, and even the Crown Prince cherished only his sister.
Naturally, with such favor, she got away with all kinds of ridiculous antics…
“Most of the rumors you hear about her are pretty much true.”
I asked about a rumor I had long been curious about.
“Is it true she let chickens loose in the room of a noble girl she disliked?”
This rumor had been famous enough to circulate widely. Everywhere was full of stories about the eccentric Princess.
Even so, could a noble Princess really do such a thing to a noble girl?
“Would you say it shows only a tiny part of her personality?”
That meant it was hardly representative of all her deeds.
“Yet she’s remarkably beautiful. Even while being feared, many nobles admire her and copy her clothing and jewelry. She’s only been debuted for a year and has already achieved remarkable influence.”
“I see… Well, I won’t have to meet her.”
Bay gave a meaningful smile instead of answering. That smile unsettled me, and I instinctively engraved the eccentric Princess in my mind.
I’ll make sure not to get involved with her.
In a way, a Princess who rushes in without fear could be even more dangerous than the male leads.
