16 Chapter 16: Hero’s Chronicle, Breton’s Lesson (1/2)
”Mother! Exactly what on earth are you doing?”
While Glass was having pleasant tea time with her step-mother in the garden, an intruder suddenly appeared. It was Breton
”…How boisterous. Please escort him out.” She didn't even take on look at him she just treated him coldly.
'Ah, her tone of voice has changed' Glass thought.
”Don't dodge the question; please tell me the reason.”
”If you're asking for the reason, I have already written it in the letter. Because I am currently in poor physical condition, I will be resting in Rica province and will not be attending.”
”Hmph… You're having a cup of tea as usual, so who exactly is in poor physical condition? Also, it was an invitation from the royal family… did you want to plunge MY Hall House into a predicament?”
Glass twitched at the comment as she secretly brought out Satusko.
”…You talk too much. YOUR Hall House? What a thing to say for someone who has yet to inherit the title.”
”…As the person who will be succeeding it sooner or later, and my statement earlier was said in consideration of the Hall House.”
”Silence. In consideration of the Hall House? Hmmm In that case, there must be a really good reason why you did not return home to during the long vacation to study how doesn't? Surely the reason isn't that you wanted to be together with the Third Prince and that Baron's daughter or something like that that you have completely disregarded your responsibilities.”
”That is…”
”First things first, I have received permission from the Queen Dowager to be absent from that party. You, have you become so great to the extent that you can dispute the decision made by a royal?”
”…. Tsk.”
'When will this bratty brother of hers notice, she hears' Glass couldn't wait to beat him till nor tomorrow. 'Surely enough the best discipline is a beating from you'll never forget from your older sister.'
”In the first place, to invite the mother of the girl whom he had his engagement annulled, to an engagement party to get engaged to another girl, their motives are suspicious. Also, it has only been four months since the engagement was annulled. The Queen Dowager as well, she is grieving about it. Since that's the case, my husband who is the Prime Minister might not want to go as well. However, … Because your father has an official position, he will likely attend. And thus, this will be enough to represent our Hall House.”
”YOU”
”Are you going to denounce me? Just like what you did to your older sister?”
”I am disappointed with you these days. Of course, my husband is also of the same opinion. If you do not clear up your act, we do not mind disinheriting you. And besides, with your older sister governing the province impeccably well, we have nothing to worry about.” Her smile became scary ”I'm glad for you. You can stay together with the Baron's daughter whom you love forever. Ah, however… since you have no charm, after taking your position away from you, you'll probably be thrown away.”
”…Such a thing, it's impossible… In the first place, why did that older sister become the Feudal Lord Representative? She committed act towards someone who is soon to become part of the royal family. Other than losing her social position, she should be exiled immediately.”
Crack, the teacup in Glass hand where crushed to bits. Making Samantha and Breton look at her and froze pretty much all the servants in the area froze to as Glass gave her brother a very scary face that sent him trembling.
”…Please excuse me. Young mistress, it is almost time for your meeting with Isa.” Glass returned her expression to is usual one and secretly put away Satusko as she got up.
”Mother, I must be going soon. Mother, please take your time and relax.” Glass said expressionlessly
”Yes, please allow me to do so. Ah, Glass. Can you take this foolish boy with you?”
”…Eh?”
”Please show this foolish boy the way you work and shut him for me,” Samantha said to Sara, who nodded and looked at Breton with scorn.
”…I respectfully obey.”
Glass walked into her office with Isa who was waiting stood up respectfully before looking scornfully at Breton. Before he handed his report to her ”…The profits of the confectionery line have decreased a little.”
”It's because another shop has appeared selling the same product. Besides, it seems like they are selling it at a lower price to ours.”
”…It is not necessary to lower the price right now. The consumer will buy whichever product is more delicious.”
”There is also that idea of lowering the buying price of the raw materials…”
”Rejected. If you look at the stock value, this price is reasonable. If you lower it any further than this, it will deteriorate our relationship with the farmers. So, to maintain or build a good relationship with them, we should secure a better delivery route.” She continued ”Aside from being lower in price, find out if there's anything else. Check the line-up of the other companies, and then compare them and do a product review. Also, how is the progress with the cake products we'll start selling next week?”
”Everything is on schedule; all the preparation has been made, and we can start selling them next week. The information about the product called 'birthday cake' is being leaked by the common people… but thanks to ”Very Sweet” originally having cake on the menu, it was favorably accepted by the public. Right now, a lot of inquiries is being made.”
”If that's the case, I'm glad. Please bring the contents of the inquiries to me.”
”It is right here.” Glass put her glasses back on.
”…Most of the inquiries are regarding the reservation method and when it will go on sale. …When this is up and running, the profits from the confectionery line will increase a little. After that, how will you be managing the inventory?”
”Just like what the My lady has instructed, we will be selling the leftover designs from the previous stocks little by little at a discounted price.”
”Is that so. …It will be an ideal to prevent the stocks from running out. But with the current figures and the market, if the drop continues, we will be barely breaking even. Especially those seasonal ingredients, it is best to limit the usage of those because of their scarcity value.”
”I understand.”
”The beauty line is doing well as always. However, we presently… have a situation where the production cannot catch up with the demand…”
”Yes. That product is sold out in all stores…”
”Make a priority to adjust the production of the beauty products. Also, how are the series products doing?”
”That is also progressing steadily. Right now, the Honey series and the Rose series are being sold. Next will be the Lily and Lavender series.”
”Is that so. Please advertise that depending on the person, some ingredients might not be suitable for their skin, so if they start getting a reaction to the products, immediately stop using them.”
”I understand.”
”After that, please bring the report of all the stores to me. Both financial and periodic reports. I will look at them at night.”
Isa said he understood and bowed before leaving the room And Eda entered catching a glance at Breton and then scorning at him before she turned back to Glass who was read documents after document at a fast pace.
”There are some things I would like to consult with you. When I asked Sara about it, she confirmed that this time would be all right…”
”It's all right. And so, what would you like to consult with me?”
”It's about the prices of the commodities here in the province. As you can see, we have a situation where the prices are continuing to increase slightly.”
”It is minuscule. It's probably because the value of money is gradually decreasing, so the prices are on the rise.”
”Yes. Because of that, I was thinking of increasing the interest rate, but…”
”I think it is not yet needed. Although the prices are increasing, it's slight. So right now, the main priority is to stabilize the prices in the market. The consumption of the town will inflate, the business will ask the bank for a loan, further amplifying the trend. If you increase the interest rates, you will be throwing cold water on the business who has taken so much effort on gaining momentum.”
”I see… I heard something good.”
”Once more, open the council and discuss it. If you still want to increase the interest rate after the earlier explanation, please give me a reason I can consent to.” Glass said as she was still speeding her papers.