Chapter 137 Product Planning Meeting I
After various shocks had passed, everyone had calmed down to a certain extent when Amelia the Pharmacist Girl suggested moving to the tower for some tea.
Since they had cleared the area when moving to the Secret Garden, there were no servants present. It would be fine for Alicia the Alchemist Girl and Amelia the Pharmacist Girl to make tea themselves, but they couldn’t serve tea made by amateurs to the Marquis, who was the lord.
The Marquis probably wouldn’t mind, but Alicia the Alchemist Girl and Amelia the Pharmacist Girl felt their spirits couldn't handle it. To be honest, just standing in the same place was pretty tough, but they had noticed that the conversation was about the Secret Garden and fairies because Rebecca had cleared the area, so they were desperately trying to keep their spirits up. Thanks to that, they stood like statues, barely opening their mouths and only nodding in response to questions.
Moreover, right in front of them, everyone, including the Marquis, had activated magic and could perceive the fairies, and the children had gained new fairy friends. Alicia the Alchemist Girl and Amelia the Pharmacist Girl thought, "Nobles really can use magic without any trouble," but in reality, many nobles also didn’t have magic, so this was a misunderstanding on their part.
When they returned to the tower and asked the servants to prepare tea, they were asked where it should be served.
"It's fine in the garden, but it might get a bit chilly since evening is coming soon. That said, there’s no reception room in the tower, and my living room is a bit small for this many people, right?"
"In that case, how about the library? I heard that Miss Sara's classes will be held in the tower from now on, so I prepared a lecture room and a break area in the library. We also set up a table set near the carrel desks where you can make tea."
"That's okay, but did you rearrange things? Didn't we just talk about this yesterday?"
Then Alicia the Alchemist Girl and Amelia the Pharmacist Girl explained with wry smiles.
"There was already a plan to turn the empty room into a lecture room. If we leave it alone, guild representatives will probably come rushing in. Especially my dad."
"My master is kind of like that too. When he sent a request for a visit permit to the bureaucrat, he got turned down because this place belongs to Miss Sara, and he looked like he was about to cry."
"So, we're sure they'll find some reason to come, so we thought it would be good to create a lecture room and a break area."
"I-I see."
When they entered the library from the second floor, the atmosphere had changed quite a bit.
On the second floor of the library, there were 3 rooms that seemed to be laboratories, but the largest room was empty. They set it up as a lecture room with a blackboard, bookshelves, desks, and chairs.
In front of the 3 laboratories, there was a space that was too wide to call a hallway, so they laid down a fluffy rug and arranged a sofa and a low table to create a break area. They decided to use this space this time.
Originally, the library had a central area surrounded by bookshelves, with a carrel desk and a large table for meetings. However, the servants decided to cut the number of carrels in half and placed several round table sets and single sofas with small tables in the empty space, like a university café.
On the round table, there were materials that Thomas had been working on. It seemed he had been working here until Sara and the others arrived.
"Is this easier to use than the carrels?"
"Ah, I’m sorry for not cleaning up. I heard you were coming suddenly, so I just came to greet you as is."
Thomas showed a shy gesture.
'Hmm... it feels like a café from my past life. I wish we had an espresso machine.'
"This space has become very cozy."
Marquis stepped into the library and compared it to what he had seen in the past.
"The overwhelming shelves are still the same, but compared to when I closed this place, it has a softer atmosphere now. It must be because it’s being protected by the maidens."
"Hehe, I left the interior to the maidens and the maids, Grandfather."
Then, one of the maids nearby smiled happily and explained about the furniture placed here.
"Actually, all the furniture we arranged was unused and sleeping in the Grandchester Castle warehouse. The rug and sofa set used in this break space were used in the milady’s room of the main residence before Milady Sara came to the castle. Originally, they were used by Sir Arthur, but Sir Robert thought that the girls might prefer cuter furniture, so he exchanged them."
"Ah, so this was used by Dad..."
Sara gently stroked the leather of the sofa's seat.
"We also brought in a round table, chairs, and a single seat sofa from the storage. The furniture is all different styles and ages, but we thought it might be best to order new furniture that matches the milady’s taste. So, we just set these up as a temporary arrangement."
"I see. That’s why you could get everything ready in one day. You call it a temporary arrangement, but I actually don’t mind the way it is now. It feels like a strange harmony. By the way, Grandchester Castle also has buildings of different styles from different times, but it doesn’t feel out of place at all. Thinking about it like that, maybe this is also the Grandchester style."
Sara looked at the café space with a curious feeling.
"Oh, but please check if my Dad's old furniture is damaged. It could be dangerous if a chair breaks suddenly while sitting."
"Understood."
At that moment, the maids came in with several types of herbal tea.
"Milady Sara, since it's a special occasion, we have prepared the herbal tea blended by Ms. Amelia (Pharmacist Girl). It's really delicious!"
"Oh, that’s great!"
"Um... it’s not that amazing, Miss Sara, so if you expect too much, it might make me feel uneasy instead."
"That’s not true. I think every herbal tea from Ms. Amelia is delicious. I definitely want to try it."
Amelia the Pharmacist Girl started explaining the benefits of the herbal tea prepared by the maids.
"Here, I have blended several types of herbs that help reduce fatigue. Since you all have been moving around on horseback today, I think this will be effective for you. Next to it is a tea that helps improve concentration. Mister Thomas has some research to do afterwards, so this one might be better for him. For Lady Rebecca, who is about to get married, I have prepared something that helps with beautiful skin. And this tea even helps reduce swelling, so it's super popular among the female servant to the point where they fight over it."
"Hehe. You all are being dramatic. It's made from easily available herbs."
"But Mother, Ms. Amelia's herbal tea is special. It's delicious and good for your health, that's the best!"
For now, Sara took a sip of the recommended herbal tea. It truly is tasty. It has a scent like muscat grapes, making it feel close to the flavor of black tea.
"This is based on herbs that are easy to drink for those used to black tea. If you prefer a more sour taste, we can switch the base herb and create something with the same effect."
"Ms. Amelia... this is just amazing. Do you have the recipe?"
"Of course I do, Miss Sara."
"Let's keep that recipe secret for now. Let me sell it exclusively at my merchant guild first. I’ll pay you 10% of the profits from the commercialized recipe, Ms. Amelia. Once it becomes popular, we can slowly spread it out. Also, please tell me what other effects you can prepare."
Sara had just been thinking, "We shouldn't monopolize profits," but she completely forgot and got into business mode. Still, Sara thought it was somewhat unavoidable. After all, in this world, there is no concept of "copyright" or "patents," and any product developed can be researched and copied right away.
"To receive such profits! I'm honored just to have you put my blended herbal tea on the shelf."
"Ah, so you, Ms. Amelia, plan to process the herbal tea yourself?"
"Isn't that the case? Ah, that’s why there's a recipe."
"I think this herbal tea will sell really well. There’s already a battle for supplies in the castle, and I don’t believe just the amount you, Ms. Amelia, can blend will be enough. You should secure a processing facility and hire employees."
"Do you really think my herbal tea is enough for that, Miss Sara...?"
Noticing that Amelia's voice had gotten quieter, Sara called out to the maids.
"Don’t you all agree? Wouldn't it be great to always have Ms. Amelia's herbal tea whenever you want?"
"I think so."
"Please sell it. I will definitely buy some."
The maids all agreed at once.
"Hmm, recovery from fatigue and increased concentration, huh? I don’t know about the beauty effects, but it certainly seems popular with women."
The Marquis was also impressed. Then Amelia continued.
"After marriage, there are herbal teas that can make it easier to conceive, but this differs from person to person, so it may not be very common."
"What! Does herbal tea really have such effects?"
"There's only a slight effect of getting your body in shape, so drinking it doesn't mean you'll get pregnant. Its main effects are warming your body and reducing stress, but it can also help with anemia symptoms and make bones stronger, Your Excellency."
"Really?"
"On the other hand, if you have kids, there are some things you should avoid drinking. It's better to stay away from regular tea during pregnancy too."
'Making babies is really important for nobles, so there might be a demand for that.'
"Then, Grandfather, considering that the recommended herbal tea changes depending on the situation, it might be better to sell it face-to-face like medicine, asking the customer's wishes before selling it by weight?"
"That's true. But the sellers need to have knowledge, so they can't be just regular salespeople."
"I see. So I need to think a bit more about the stores and the staff. That might mean I need specialty shops."
Sara realized it was time to seriously consider the shops run by the merchant guild. She was unsure whether to handle various products in a large store or to open separate specialty shops.
"Hmm. I plan to sell Elma brandy and Elma liquor at the merchant guild, but it feels a bit off to sell herbal tea in the same store..."
"Speaking of alcohol, there are herbal teas that help with hangovers, Miss Sara. It might be interesting to sell them next to the drinks."
Amelia had a rare mischievous smile on her face.
"There's herbal tea like that?"
"Hehe, my master loves it. Even though he's not very good with alcohol, he's can't refuse when offered."
"Wow. I definitely want that too. I feel like herbal tea has a strong image as something for women, but if it's good for hangovers or improving focus, guys would like it too."
'I see. When Ms. Amelia thinks about Mr. Alexander, she makes that kind of face.'
Sara nodded in agreement as Amelia wore a very lovely smile. It was truly the expression of a girl in love.
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