HBWnovel Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Experts exist for a reason. Every task requires someone who is specialized in it.
“So, you’re saying that the profit from *Snow White* surpasses the profit I made from *Cinderella* by more than double?”
It was hard to believe, yet the Guild Leader in front of me nodded casually, sipping his tea as if it were a given.
He even mentioned that the amount he would give me was that much after deducting their own profits. No matter how much of a merchant he was, just how could he generate such a degree of profit?
‘Did they sell drugs instead of books?’
As I wore a confused expression, the Guild Leader began to speak.
“The sales method you determined was excellent. I was truly amazed while observing it.”
Suddenly, the Guild Leader began to praise me.
Of course, the method I had chosen was simply a direct imitation of tactics used by luxury brands on Earth, so it might have appeared to the oblivious Guild Leader as if I had some unique insight.
“Dividing it into hardcovers and standard editions is a commonly used method, but implementing a lottery system was a strategy I never envisioned. Truly, such a ruthless commercial tactic... I mean, it’s not that you are ruthless, Young Master.”
“I understand your point.”
“Yes, but anyway, choosing to use a lottery system for the limited editions was a stroke of genius.”
A stroke of genius for the lottery system?
Honestly, I had suggested it simply because I remembered how I had to enter lotteries to purchase limited edition sneakers in my past life, and I just followed that example.
“If we had conducted an auction expecting high prices, it wouldn’t have become this popular.”
[The fantasy of that everyone could have it proved effective. It’s not just about having the money; you really had to leave it to chance to get it, which increased its value.]
Listening to that, it made sense. While I had recommended the lottery without much thought, isn’t the reason people buy lottery tickets somewhat similar?
The hope that maybe it could be me. Those high-end brands are truly a force to be reckoned with.
“All 30 copies of the hardcover and 100 copies of the standard editions have been sold out, and the lottery for the 9 custom editions has also concluded.”
“Thank you for your hard work. But isn’t it 10 copies, not 9?”
“Um... well, one of them, you see...”
What? Perhaps this fellow secretly reserved one for a personal acquaintance? Or does he have a daughter, perhaps?
“Haha, I understand. Given that you’ve worked hard until now, and since we’ll be collaborating in the future, isn’t it better for everyone if we let that slide?”
“No... that’s not it.”
“Oh! It’s alright. I’m not a child. I must also consider the Guild Leader’s dignity.”
Right, isn’t it standard for limited lotteries to offer free copies to famous celebrities or influencers?
Given the Guild Leader’s extensive support for my business, I could turn a blind eye to him taking one copy for himself.
However, despite my reassurance, the Guild Leader still appeared unsettled, perhaps feeling quite guilty.
He was more sensitive than I had expected.
“Ahem... If you insist, Young Master, I shall accept it. Here are the names and photos of the 9 winners from the lottery, along with one additional name.”
The envelope the Guild Leader handed over contained the photos and names of the Young Ladies for the custom editions.@@@@
“Hmm... the last individual only has a photo, but no name or age?”
At my question, the Guild Leader had a brief startle and could not hide his trembling voice as he replied.
“The last ‘person’ has circumstances requiring discretion. You may refer to the photo for reference.”
That person? Did this fellow receive some sort of bribe? From the way he spoke, it seemed like they were from a quite distinguished noble family.
“Can it really surpass the Bluewell Duke’s family?”
I had already been involved with the Duke’s household once; noble families couldn’t intimidate me too much.
‘To really get me on edge, they’d have to bring in someone from the Imperial Family.’
It sounded amusing, even as I said it. Why would the Imperial Family order a fairy tale book? If they wanted it, there would have already been a command issued.
Who would have thought that a book written by such a stiff-faced man would captivate her so completely?
‘I wish he would have drawn me again this time...’
In fact, this was a secret she kept to herself out of embarrassment, but she still occasionally took out the *Cinderella* fairy tale that had become Evelyn’s treasure to look at it secretly.
Because in that book, the man had beautifully portrayed a protagonist resembling her.
Amelia regretted missing out on the limited edition, which was being produced with only ten copies being drawn.
Maybe she shouldn’t visit him again like last time? She thought, but felt that would be too rude and, more importantly, not romantic at all.
She just wanted to feel the emotions that were conveyed without saying anything, just like the time he sent her the illustrated fairy tale featuring herself.
Having reached the last page, Amelia closed the book.
*
“Oh, Aida has fallen after eating a poisoned apple.”
Aida was sprawled out in front of my room’s door.
Beside her was an apple with a bite taken out of it.
“Aida has fallen into a deep sleep. The prince must wake her up!”
I wanted to say that sleeping princesses don’t actually shout like that, but since she’s my cute little sister, I played along.
“I have come because there is a sleeping princess here.”
As I approached Aida, pretending to speak in a deep voice, she tightly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Finding her act adorable, I gave her a kiss on the forehead, and she stretched and opened her eyes as if she had just woken.
“Aida is resurrected!”
Oh, her vocabulary has certainly improved. When did she learn such a difficult word as “resurrected”? Children really grow in the blink of an eye.
Now up and spinning around, Aida grabbed my hand and urged me to go scold the queen.
Lately, Aida’s obsession with playing Snow White had been quite troublesome.
No, it actually started back during the Cinderella days.
“I want the glass slipper!”
“Aida, that’s only in fairy tales...”
“Why doesn’t Aida have a wicked stepmother and stepsisters?”
“Well, that’s something your father will work on.”
Could he really say that in front of the kids? Anyway, lately, she had started pestering me about wanting to see a white horse and often looked at the mansion’s mirror saying,
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
It became a common sight to see her talking to the mirror as if it were answering her.
“Actually, I think it might be nice to create such toys.”
After all, the ultimate goal of characters for children must be merchandise, right?
If they sold items adorned with the characters, the little ones would surely empty their parents’ wallets.
This is something I’ll have to ponder with the artisans.
“Master! It’s a disaster!!”
Just then, while playing with Aida, the butler Alain rushed in with a terrified expression.
“What’s the matter, Alain?”
“The... the Imperial Family has sent someone down!”
What? The Imperial Family?!