I’ve Given Up
“Raphael, do you have any requests?”
“If possible, could you make a wooden desk calendar? Something I could put on my desk—it’d be convenient for checking my schedule.”
“Raphael, couldn’t you make a paper desk calendar instead of a wooden one?”
“Paper?”
“Yes, with thick paper—each page for one month, you just flip through it. That would be easier to make, wouldn’t it?”
“I can’t quite picture it. Hardt, you make one for me. I’ll buy it if it looks good.”
“‘We’d like one too.’”
… And there goes my workload, increasing again.
I should’ve just accepted the wooden version request honestly.
Anyway, I’ll ask Haul’s workshop if they can make a wooden desk calendar too.
“By the way, did everyone buy anything at the exhibition?”
“Mostly food. I figured it’d make people happy at the appreciation party we’re planning.”
“You’re holding an appreciation party?”
“Well, you held one yourself, didn’t you? Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Since everyone’s been working hard on the curry powder business, I thought I’d bring some as souvenirs for the party. We’ve been doing grocery runs every day for it.”
“‘We did too.’”
Ah, so that’s why no matter how much food we cooked, it kept selling out.
I bet there were plenty of merchants making similar purchases.
Well… let’s just call it an economic boost and be satisfied.
“Reinhardt, are there any plans to make something more luxurious from the Rainbow Fish line?”
“Yes, we’re working on it. That one will be sold through the company—it’ll be pricey.”
“Then how about making a wooden calendar with Rainbow Fish accents? It would look beautiful displayed in an office or a room.”
“Dianne, that’s a wonderful idea! A wooden calendar with a Rainbow Fish frame—how lovely. I want one too! And of course, make a paper version as well. I’ll put one in my room and one in my office.”
“I think it’s a good idea, but…”
“Reinhardt, you’re just proposing the idea and making the request, right? Then it’s settled.”
Bridget decided everything on her own again—but I’m the one who’ll get scolded by Raziel for it…
“Do you have samples of the Rainbow Fish products the company’s selling?”
“I do. Want to see them?”
“Definitely.”
““We’d love to.””
“Got it. I’ll go grab them from Raziel, so wait a bit,” I said, heading to the trading company.
Might as well clarify while I’m there—that this isn’t my idea, but everyone else’s request.
When I reported it to Raziel, he said, “If the calendar lineup is expanding, and we’re adding new Rainbow Fish crafts, that’s perfectly fine,” and approved it without hesitation.
… Maybe because it didn’t come from me?
“You’ll be traveling around the villages soon, correct? Frankly, I’ve already resigned myself. But make sure to report everything. Also, please handle the product management for each village yourself.”
“What? No way—that’s impossible.”
“We’ll take care of distribution and sales, but you’ll need to coordinate with the villages and the new town regarding supply quantities and trade agreements.”
“Come on, I’m busy too!”
“And so are we. It’s within the domain, and we’ve already received approval from the lord.”
So that’s why Raziel agreed so easily…
Even if I come up with new products, all the tedious coordination will now fall on me.
… Fine. I’ll find someone capable and dump it on them.
Though that unpleasant news left a sour taste, I took the Rainbow Fish product samples and returned to the salon, where I found Chris, Gerald, Lady Diana, Isaac, and Hubert already there.
“Everyone’s gathered—what’s going on?”
“Bridget invited us. We were curious, so we asked to join.”
“I don’t mind,” I said, and spread a pure white cloth over the table, placing the items on top.
There were small boxes, jewelry boxes, letter racks, hand mirrors, a platinum hair ornament made by Elm, and a few brooches.
“I was considering Rainbow Fish coasters too,” Isaac said, eyes gleaming with a merchant’s instinct. “But these pieces that use the scales generously—so luxurious, so beautiful.”
“This hair ornament shimmers slightly depending on the light, and the craftsmanship is excellent.”
“The openwork carving with bits of Rainbow Fish in it is lovely too.”
“Are the accessories made by multiple artisans?”
“No, the metal engraver who made the hair ornament and brooches is one person, but the one attaching the Rainbow Fish scales to accessories is someone else.”
“Dianne, if there’s one you like, I’ll buy it for you—as thanks for the cufflinks.”
Dianne’s face lit up instantly, smiling from ear to ear.
“Lord Hubert, I’d love this hair ornament. I want to wear it when we tour the domain.”
She pointed at a piece adorned with many small flowers, using Rainbow Fish scales lavishly.
“Ahem. My little brother beat me to it, but Bridget—how about you? Let me give you one as well.”
“Lord Isaac, would you please choose one for me—a hair ornament or a brooch?”
“Then this one,” he said, picking out a brooch with one large flower and two smaller ones on either side. The large petals were made with Rainbow Fish scales, while the smaller flowers had just the centers decorated.
“When you inspect the Northtrad territory, you often wear coats, don’t you? This brooch would suit them well.”
Hearing that, Bridget beamed with joy.
“Thank you very much. I’ll make sure to wear this brooch whenever I wear a coat,” she said, holding it carefully in both palms.
Naturally, everyone’s eyes turned toward Gerald, the only one left with a fiancée present.
“I’m in a bit of a bind here. I hadn’t told anyone yet, but I already have something being made for you as a gift, Diana. So please wait just a little longer.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Lady Diana said, cheeks red but clearly delighted.
What do you think about this chapter?
