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“I never imagined a book made up of a series of paintings,” Lakius said as he turned to me with twinkling eyes. “That’s amazing, Tati.”
“Ahaha…….”
Since I couldn’t exactly explain to him that it was a buff from my past life, I just let out an awkward laugh.
Lakius tapped the book cover and asked me a question.
“You said you made this legendary tale into a booklet and distributed it to bookstores, along with stickers, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” I nodded.
The whole concept of comics and stickers was still new to the Empire. So, I commissioned bookstores to set up small booths.
The items displayed at the booths were stickers and booklets.
I made the early part of the legendary tale into a booklet and included some sticker samples as well. This was so that children could try them out for free.
After that, I intentionally ended the booklet at the most exciting part……….
‘Well, the responses weren’t bad in and of themselves.’
However, we don’t know if the response will directly translate into sales. To be honest, I was a little nervous.
“But are you sure about that? You gave away free samples of the stickers, as well as the booklet,” Lakius asked me worriedly. “That must have cost you quite a bit of money.”
“Well, I consider it an investment.”
Comics and stickers still didn’t exist in the Empire.
Which means…. Those items might feel unfamiliar to the general public.
And the moment the general public doesn’t understand the concept of comics and stickers, my business will fail.
“It’s better to invest decisively in the beginning than to save trivial amounts and suffer major losses.”
Furthermore, to make people understand a new product as quickly as possible, the best way is for them to use it themselves.
Even sticky notes were like that. Initially, they didn’t sell well within the mage tower, but after people actually used them, the response completely changed.
And then.
“Our young miss, isn’t she amazing?”
Someone suddenly interjected into the conversation. It was Nora.
“Not only is she skilled in business, but she also values people,” Nora said with pride in her voice. “You know, the way she took care of Antonio and his sister, I was so impressed.”
“Uh, Nora?”
“You found them a new home, and the contract was so clean! Basic salary, distribution of incentives related to legendary tales and character merchandise….,” Nora listed everything, counting on her fingers.
I felt my face heating up.
Um, isn’t she praising me a bit too overtly?
“Well, wait a minute. There’s no need to explain it like that,” I cut her off sheepishly.
Upon hearing that, Nora looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Why, my miss is such an amazing person, of course I have to let the First Prince know!”
……The person in front of me is definitely Nora. Why do I feel the same sense of unease I do when I’m dealing with dads?
I couldn’t overcome my embarrassment and covered my face with both hands.
“Well, Lakius might get bored–!”
“I’m not bored.”
My desperate plea was cut short by Lakius’s bemused voice.
“It’s actually nice that Nora explained it like that.”
“…….”
I was at a loss for words.
But Lakius looked very serious.
“You know, Tati, I don’t think you realize how amazing you are.”
Oh my, he’s serious…….
I couldn’t overcome my embarrassment and clenched my fists tightly.
Are my hands and feet still with me?
I haven’t faded away, have I?
“Right? His Highness the First Prince must think the same, right?”
“Of course. So, what else did Tati do?”
“Oh, that’s right. She got Antonio assistant writers so that he wouldn’t have to work alone!”
“Really? Assistant writers, that’s very thoughtful.”
And so, the conversation continued.
Nora suddenly looked back at me.
“By the way, young miss, why don’t you go to the bookstore?”
“Why the bookstore?”
“Why? Today is the first day the legendary tale is displayed in bookstores!”
Nora seemed very excited.
I, however, was not necessarily on her level…….
“Mmm, I suppose,” I said cautiously, rolling my eyes around to avoid eye contact. “But there hasn’t been any contact from the bookstore so far, right?”
“What?”
Nora blinked her eyes blankly for a moment.
I tried my best not to show a gloomy expression as I spoke.
“If the book sales were really going well, shouldn’t they have contacted me by now?”
At my question, Nora’s expression suddenly changed.
“Oh my, look at my mind. I forgot to mention that.”
“Huh? What?”
“I just got word that your book is selling like hotcakes.”
“Is– is that for real?” I asked, stunned.
Nora added with a satisfied voice, explaining further.
“They said many books are already sold out, so they’re reprinting them.”
“You have to be joking, right? I feel like my heart is going to stop.”
“I know how much you’ve been working on this, Young Miss, and I wouldn’t do that.” Nora smiled bitterly. “I actually came to see you to tell you this, but I got sidetracked by the conversation…….”
“Tsk tsk,” Nora playfully scolded me with her tongue briefly. “This is your victory, so hurry and go, okay?”
“Uh, okay,” I said hastily. Without thinking, I stood up abruptly and turned to Lakius. “Let’s go together, Lakius.”
“Huh? Me too?”
Lakius had a bewildered expression.
“Of course. You gave me advice, and because of you, I was able to proceed with this project.”
I meant it.
I shrugged my shoulders and added, “Especially the character stickers. It’s all thanks to you. So, we should see the results together, right? Isn’t that right?”
“…….”
In response to my answer, Lakius’s face somehow became somber.
Then.
“……You really are.”
A sigh-like voice slipped out.
“Me? What?”
I looked at him in confusion.
At the same time, Lakius smiled and shook his head.
“Just, you know, thank you.”
What’s with that sudden remark?
I wanted to inquire further, but Lakius stood up from his seat faster than my question.
“Let’s go, Tati.”
Hmm, it seems like he was about to say something but held back.
Still, Lakius’s expression ended up quite cheerful, so I guess I shouldn’t be too worried.
“Yeah!”
I quickly clasped Lakius’s hand in mine.
* * *
“……What on earth is happening?”
Tatiana had a rare, surprised expression.
And understandably so, as the bookstore was packed with people.
“Mum, I want a copy of ﹤Sword Master Siegfried﹥!”
“Me, too!”
Children tugged at the hem of their mothers’ skirts, shouting at the top of their lungs.
“We came to buy the legend series.”
“Are there no more Kirios Chronicles?”
“Our child insisted on getting the Cesar Series.”
“Oh, please don’t push. I was in line first!”
Even the parents joined in with a clamor.
“At the moment, the three heroes’ series are sold out. But we’ll let you know as soon as they’re back in stock…….”
The bookstore staff, sweating profusely, was trying to calm down the customers.
“Oh, and the hero stickers? They said they would give them if we bought the book.”
“Our child really wants to have them.”
“Are there any other stickers besides these?”
Lakius looked at Tatiana from the corner of his eye.
’Tati is truly amazing.’
Sticky notes, stickers, comics.
It was a whole new concept that had never existed before, but the people in front of them naturally understood, accepted, and liked the concept.
“The Princess of Orleans?”
Just then, someone exclaimed, claiming to know Tatiana. Tatiana turned around and her face lit up.
“Antonio!”
At the end of her sky-blue gaze, there stood a tall boy and a petite girl. Seeing how similar they looked, they were clearly siblings.
The two siblings walked over this way with a woman who seemed to be their guardian.
“What, did you come to observe the reaction too?” Tatiana greeted the two siblings.
‘Antonio.’
Lakius thought back to the name Tatiana had called so affectionately.
‘If it’s Antonio… he’s the one who drew the legendary comics, right?’
He had assistant artists who helped him with backgrounds and stuff, however, when it comes to the characters, Antonio always drew them.
And he was in charge of turning them into stickers for the project as well.
“Thank you so much. I received a favor from the Princess, which I cannot repay.”
Antonio inclined his head deeply toward Tatiana.
“No, it’s your art that has made this possible,” Tatiana said as she shook her head and smiled.