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Chapter 52
The Crown Princess walked forward without hesitation and picked up a teddy bear from the shop.
“When I was little, my father used to give me things like this. I believed that if I kept it by my bedside, it would protect me.”
The Crown Princess smiled happily, embracing the toy as a memory came to mind. The shop owner, as if he had hit the jackpot, excitedly shouted that he would donate the bear to the Imperial Museum.
“I want to take this bear as a souvenir.”
“In that case, I will engrave Your Highness’s name on the bear’s paw! Please wait just a moment.”
“You can engrave the name on the spot? Amazing.”
The Crown Princess watched Vettra’s merchant, who worked with almost magical speed to engrave the name, and praised him without holding back.
“Thanks to you, I had a wonderful experience.”
I wanted to muster the courage to say one more promotional line, but Her Highness stopped me.
“I know exactly what you’re going to say.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re my maid. You brought me here on purpose. So, it’s obvious what you want.”
Finally, the moment we had been waiting for arrived. The Crown Princess fixed her gaze on us, her eyes filled with authority.
“Only two people in the Empire can grant a Royal Warrant for specific products.”
“The Emperor and Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”
“Normally, the selection of a Royal Warrant goes through a Privy Council discussion.”
But there were two people who could grant a warrant independently, without going through that process: the Emperor and his heir.
“Twice a year, my father and I have the authority to grant a prestigious opportunity to specific products directly, without going through the Privy Council.”
The Crown Princess smiled slyly,
“Today, I shall use that precious opportunity for the beautiful products of this place.”
The toy merchants erupted in cheers. Ezekiel bowed deeply in gratitude for the Crown Princess’s mercy.
Both sides had gained something. The Crown Princess enjoyed authority and pleasure, and Vettra received the Royal Warrant it had aimed for.
“I hereby declare the Imperial Certification for the brand ‘Vettra-made Toys.’ In the future, when children are born in the palace, they will play with toys supplied from here.”
Nobles, sensitive to Imperial trends, reacted swiftly.
“The sales graph for toys doubled in just one day! Can you believe it? Considering that people planning vacations in Vettra next month will likely buy them in advance, this is a huge hit.”
Everyone hugged and cheered. When we went to thank the Crown Princess, she received our gratitude with a hearty laugh.
“There’s no need to thank me. Just take pride in the fact that your plan worked.”
“Even if it was my plan, it only succeeded because Your Highness supported it. I must naturally thank you.”
The Crown Princess’s smile deepened.
“Consider this the value of spending a few days here. Usually, I’d follow my father to some boring hot spring town, but this time it was nice to come alone to a new place.”
“Whenever you visit again, Ezekiel and I will guide you.”
“I chose a good maid, it seems.”
Amidst mutual compliments, the rest of the Crown Princess’s vacation passed joyfully.
“You’ll be busy during the vacation season, so come to the capital when your work is done. You can go back and forth between your estate and the capital.”
“Thank you for your consideration. I’ll go to the capital soon.”
On the final day, we escorted the Crown Princess and conducted interviews with numerous journalists, concluding the three-day event splendidly. Michele also played the role of a smart nephew at the farewell, leaving a strong impression on the estate residents.
“Wishing Your Highness endless glory.”
“A cute child.”
By the end of the farewell, everyone was exhausted.
“It feels like we just finished an international conference.”
“Now let’s rest, aunt.”
“You’ve all worked hard.”
It was only when the Crown Princess left that our true vacation was about to begin…
“Madam, everyone, wake up.”
“…?”
Anna stumbled in with a half-dazed expression. I had never seen the normally composed Anna so flustered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Miss Anna? What’s the matter?”
Olli, Alfred, even Michele tensed for a moment. Anna, unable to contain her trembling, delivered the news.
“You know House of Warton, right?”
Of course we did. The first time Ezekiel attended the Viscount’s ball, my aunt had insisted on getting a dress from there. How could we not know? Camilla had rushed in wearing a dress from there and ended up with a flat nose.
“Vivian Warton, the owner, has come to Vettra.”
“What? Why all of a sudden?”
“She wants to open a temporary promotional store in this city!”
The proud Ms. Warton, who had never opened a branch outside the imperial capital, wanted to come here? Why? Why here?
“She said Vettra’s potential and growth look promising, so she absolutely wants to open a promotional store here.”
“Absolutely in Vettra?!”
This was the first time we’d heard of Warton opening a store outside the main branch. Even a temporary promotional shop was unprecedented, and the fact that she chose Vettra was unbelievable.
“…Arrange a meeting immediately.”
Any thought of resting vanished. This was urgent. Vacation was out of the question. We had to move. Absolutely.
“I came to meet the Duchess because I want to collaborate with this city for promotion during this year’s vacation season.”
Vivian Warton, the famous boutique owner, was a notable name even for bad reasons. The Starace Viscount family spent extravagantly each season to get House of Warton dresses. She was the renowned designer and founder, Vivian, of House of Warton.
Sitting across from such a prestigious designer, I spoke carefully.
“There isn’t much time left in the vacation season. How exactly do you plan to collaborate with us?”
“I want to open a temporary promotional store here.”
True to her flamboyant clothing and high hairdo, Warton had a strong personality.
“I’ve heard that Vettra’s recent success owes much to Dogaresa.”
She presented a collaboration proposal.
“If I work with someone like you this summer, I believe I’ll get great inspiration.”
This was surprising. I had heard from Anna that my contributions were somewhat exaggerated in rumors. But for the continent’s top designer to come because of that rumor? Incredible.
“I plan to observe the response during summer and, if it’s favorable, open a permanent official promotional store.”
Anna and Olli fidgeted nervously in the corner of the reception room. After all, House of Warton is a top-tier luxury brand. Even temporary stores are rarely permitted, and for them to offer a collaboration directly was unusual.
‘She must have heard that the Crown Princess was visiting Vettra and acted quickly to seize the opportunity.’
A smart move.
‘If she came immediately after hearing the news, she must have calculated and moved as soon as she heard the rumors.’
Vivian Warton, creating high-end dresses for the elite across the continent, likely learned directly from the Crown Princess about her visit.
“Then you can enter our shopping arcade temporarily. We’ll assist with store placement and showcase windows.”
“Showcase windows?”
“It’s a unique feature of stores in our arcade.”
“Oh, I’ve heard. Vettra’s showcase. We’ll participate in this historic moment too.”
The designer didn’t hide her ambition, and neither did I. One luxury brand in the arcade would exponentially increase foot traffic. For me, it was an opportunity to handle everything from showcase policy to revitalizing the commercial area.
Vivian Warton explained everything, but I couldn’t focus on the details.
“Thank you. I plan to display dresses that fit a resort theme. The designs and colors…”
My gaze, while listening to her, had been fixed on Anna. She looked utterly enchanted, as if meeting the mentor of her dreams, watching Vivian Warton intently.
