Chapter 33

Bertine was called out by the owner of the dye shop and came out.

"So, what is it you're asking, Ciro?"

"I would like to request permission to mix other colors into the dye solution I always use."

"That would be wonderful. I've been wondering if we could dye anything other than crimson. However, I'm curious about how the glowing effect will turn out."

"That's the thing. If the dull glow is eliminated, it would be a disaster. It's a challenge, but I would like to try."

The dye shop Ciro introduced was run by an elderly man and a young craftsman. They did not ask about the materials of the dye solution, as Ciro had already warned them.

"You can try as many as you like. We have plenty of materials for the dye solution. I'll bring the concentrated solution tomorrow."

"That's very kind of you. Ugo, we have permission."

"If we can produce a variety of colors, it would be great, boss."

"Then, I'll see you later," Bertine said as she left the dye shop.

If we could dye in colors other than the vivid crimson and dark red, it would sell better. The revenue from that could bring the plan one step closer to reality. A small hotel where the wealthy nobles of the empire would stay for long periods. They would spend money there, and it would create jobs.

Building and operating a hotel, even a small one, is a huge dream, and she wasn't sure if it was really possible. But just setting a big goal made her heart leap.

She chatted about this dream over tea with Dorothea.

Dorothea asked curiously,

"Miss, but why a hotel?"

"Dorothea, have you forgotten what the main source of income for the Sanlouan royal family was?"

"Oh!"

"Isn't it the high-end hotels operated by the royal family's direct organization? I only remembered this after I came up with the hotel plan."

"Do you intend to get back at the royal family?"

"Yes. But they are a well-established institution, and they have many regular wealthy customers from the empire. I'm like a small sardine facing a whale. But if small sardines gather, maybe... even if not, running a hotel is a dream. A small hotel standing alone in a green paradise. Doesn't it sound appealing?"

Dorothea's eyes turned distant.

"You would wake up to the sounds of wild birds in the morning, right?"

"You would drink tea on the terrace while watching a flock of emus."

"That sounds wonderful, Miss. It's so lovely!"

"That's where the fairy-tale building that Evans designed would shine."

"Would that fairy-tale house be built there?"

"Wouldn't that extraordinary building be captivating?"

"I think so!"

Bertine laughed and praised herself.

"Selling fabric to the empire, selling bottled goods, and using the revenue to build a hotel and make more money. Isn't it perfect?"

"Miss, your face."

"Oh. Did I look bad?"

"Yes, quite bad."

If they were to build and operate a hotel, they would need someone to oversee and guide the entire operation. For that, she wanted to seek advice from her father, who was a hotel management veteran, but she was afraid of her stepmother. If her stepmother found out, she didn't know what the queen would do to her.

"I might have to ask Luca to introduce someone indirectly."

"Luca is now the manager of a top hotel in the capital, Miss."

"But would someone working in the capital come to the United Nations to provide guidance?"

"That's true. The people from the empire have a bias against the United Nations."

Bertine looked up at the ceiling and pondered for a moment.

"Before that, I need to do something about the canned seafood that Nilda and Carlit told me about."

"It was the clams and the fish called Kob."

"I feel there are other delicious seafoods. Maybe I should go and check them out."

"But the distance to the lord's hometown is quite far, isn't it?"

"Yes. It takes about a month and a half by carriage. The continent is vast. The Kingdom of Sanlouan is really as small as a mole on the continent."

If she were to build a hotel in the deepest part of the continent, it would take two weeks from Ibit, and longer in bad weather. It would be difficult for active noble lords to come from the empire. If she were to target retired old nobles, the distance from the empire to the southern part of the United Nations would be a key issue.

(Would wealthy old people come from afar? Or should I target the energetic younger generation? No, the younger generation doesn't have as much free money.)

Old nobles have money and time but lack energy and physical strength.

Young people have time and energy but lack free money.

Active nobles have money and energy but are too busy to have time.

Which group should she target?

It was fun to think about such things even before the funding was in place. It was a pleasure she hadn't experienced as a marquess's daughter.

"Let's go to the lord's hometown first. I need to try the grilled Kob and the clams cooked in oil."

Even if she were to go to the lord's hometown, she would need information on where to eat the local delicacies and any precautions. She thought about consulting Ignacio. As she stepped into the building, she was called by an unfamiliar man.

"Hey! Thank you for the syrup-cooked dragon fruit! Please let me know when the store in the capital is decided. I will definitely go and buy it!"

"Thank you. If you like, I can deliver it to you today. A bottle costs five large copper coins."

"Five large copper coins for the taste of my hometown. I'll come if you call the reception. I am Daniel from the accounting department."

"Understood. Mr. Daniel from the accounting department. I'll deliver it later. What would you like?"

"All of them. Two of each type, please!"

After thanking him and parting with a smile, she went to the reception and asked if she could meet Ignacio. As she was asking, Ignacio himself passed by with a pile of documents.

"Miss Bertine, is there something you need? The lord is away on inspection for a week."

"No, I need to speak with Ignacio. I'm planning to go and find the delicious things from the lord's hometown. I wanted to ask Ignacio for any precautions."

"Ah, to the Calisto region? The southernmost part of the country? You are going?"

"I thought that if I actually taste the local delicacies, I might get ideas for canned goods."

"You are..."

Ignacio looked both amazed and amused.

"I am a single woman with no husband or children. It's natural to act on a whim."

"I see. Please come to my room."

In Ignacio's room, Bertine received unexpected good information. It was about a boat.

"From the capital Ibit to the Calisto region, it takes three weeks by carriage. But using the Saran River, it takes only ten days. However, I wonder if it's suitable for women. Rough men load the cargo and travel from the empire to the mining site. On the way to the empire, they navigate the river using sails."

"Ten days? From Ibit to the southern end in ten days?"

"Yes. Unlike horses, it moves without rest and continues through the night. However, I've never seen a woman on board..."

"Thank you! That's great information. Where can I board the boat?"

"There is a dock in Ibit. Miss Bertine, you will have to sleep in a communal room."

"Hehe, no problem. I don't mind sleeping in a communal room for business."

"But..."

"I have a skilled guard, so there's no need to worry. Besides, as a marquess's daughter, I don't care about appearances anymore."

"Ah... I see."

After that, Bertine returned happily after receiving an explanation about the Calisto region. Ignacio, with a lowered brow, thought (I might get scolded by the lord for giving her unnecessary information) as he saw her off.

"Great! The travel time from the empire to my hotel has been shortened. Ignacio is really excellent."

Bertine was in high spirits.