MLIIWTFL Chapter 218

218

"Why? Isn't it good to have a lot of menu items?"

Ariette asked quickly, and Letticia replied.

"Of course, having many items on the menu gives customers more choices, but if there are too many, it actually becomes harder for them to choose. People don't like to spend too much time deciding."

"And from the shop's perspective, having too many menu items isn't ideal either, it makes it harder to manage ingredients and streamline production. So, the number of items should be kept within a reasonable range."

"…Is that so… I really wanted to use seven kinds of fruit and call it the Rainbow Éclair."

Ariette looked downhearted. Letticia glanced at her and spoke to Chelsea.

"For now, let's ask my mother to serve fruit cream-based tea food at the tea party and see which ones get the best response. We were already thinking of trying out other items like cream puffs besides éclairs, right?"

"Oh, if we try it out at the tea party first, we can see what others like!"

Ariette agreed, and Chelsea responded seriously,

"Understood. Then I'll focus on developing recipes using store-bought fruit jams and marmalades until the tea party."

"Do that. And how about sharing the remaining éclairs in the kitchen with the other employees and asking for their feedback?"

"Yes. I'll go and hear from them myself."

After Chelsea nodded and left, only Letticia and Ariette were left in the room.

Letticia, who had something she definitely wanted to ask today, opened the conversation toward the still-disappointed Ariette.

"By the way, milady, have you told the Duke? About joining our group?"

"Oh, yes! I told him it was Lady Sharon's gathering, and he gave his permission."

Letticia was surprised that the Duke agreed so easily. But then again, no overprotective father in a romance novel would ever refuse something like that right away.

"It's just… I don't think he's keen on me learning etiquette classes yet… I think it'll take more time to get his permission on that."

"Haah…"

Letticia sighed unconsciously. Ariette also looked a little upset as she fiddled with her skirt but forced a smile and continued,

"So I'm starting by talking to him about quitting my job. Thankfully, he said it's okay to quit whenever I want."

"If it's the Duke, I feel like he would support whatever you want to do, milady."

"Yes. I think he would allow it right away even if I said I wanted to start a business. But if I do that, he'd probably provide all the investment and personnel too… and that wouldn't really be my own effort."

"That would be a bit of a problem on our side too. If the Duke's family provides the funds and manpower before the business structure is even in place, then it becomes their business, not ours."

It wouldn't make sense to cook the porridge just to let someone else eat it.* In that case, it would be better to draw up a proper proposal and try to persuade someone like Patrick or Marquess Wade to invest. After all, this business is based on Ariette's idea and Letticia's drive.

"Then, let's stick to what you originally planned, bring it up along with a proper business proposal. If you have a proposal, it helps put limits on how much the Duke can interfere."

"…Would it be insulting to you if my father said he'd invest just because it's my idea?"

Ariette asked, her head slightly bowed. Letticia shrugged and answered.

"Well, I don't know. I've never stopped people from donating just to gain favor with me."

"That's different. If he's just giving money for my sake, regardless of what the business is, then he's not recognizing my efforts or abilities at all…"

Letticia wondered why Ariette was stressing so much over something like this, but it seemed to be an important matter to her.

Still, rather than sympathizing, Letticia responded plainly and decisively,

"Either way, the money the Duke spends on you, whether it's buying jewels from Sharon Jewelry or investing that amount in our business, it's all the same. It's not like he insists on Sharon Jewelry in particular; he buys it because you want it."

"……"

"And in society, it's rare that people actually recognize your skills or efforts. What matters most is achieving results. If the Duke's investment helps us achieve those results, then it doesn't really matter what his reason was. Of course, this is only valid if we're the ones leading the business."

After hearing Letticia's response, Ariette didn't say anything and just moved her eyes around. She didn't touch the éclair for a long time, seemingly lost in thought. Just as Letticia, who had been waiting quietly, reached out for an éclair, Ariette finally spoke clearly.

"I think it's best if Lady Sharon is the sole representative of our business."

"Suddenly? Not as co-representatives?"

"Yes. I've been reading books on business management, and they say you need to make cold, rational decisions to run a business. But I don't really understand how the real world works yet, and I don't trust myself to make the best judgments. And you've successfully managed Faymont for five years, haven't you?"

"No, I wasn't running it, I just owned the building as an investor! I only discussed a few recipes and suggested presenting them at social gatherings, that's all!"

"Even so, you're much more capable than someone like me who doesn't even understand the market!"

The last part came out a bit emotional, perhaps not knowing basic economic values was a bigger insecurity for Ariette than Letticia realized.

But Letticia wasn't ready to give in so easily. She knew she had no talent in business management. If it were about marketing or promotions, maybe, but being the sole head of the company would only lead to its downfall.

"Look, business isn't something you can do just because you understand prices or how the market works. You need a clear vision on how to operate things. And I don't have that. I can't even initiate ideas like, 'What kind of product should we make and how?' That's something you're far better at. I can only take those ideas and help organize them."

"But… I really don't know anything. How can I be the one sitting in the representative seat? I can't even tell if my idea is worth anything."

"As you've seen, I can't do anything without experts either. And when you brought up this idea, it wasn't just a donation to help us, right? You brought it because you wanted to try starting a business. That means you should be the one to take charge. The most you should be offering me is a co-representative role."

Letticia's firm words made Ariette's eyes go wide, clearly taken aback. But she didn't complain or beg Letticia to take the lead.

"Also, becoming the head of a venture doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. These days, there are stewards and professionals who handle management, market dealings, and finances. The leader's job is to guide them well and ensure the enterprise runs smoothly."

"If it's about managing people… then I'm really not suited for it…"

Ariette's expression grew even gloomier, as if recalling her past relationships.

And no wonder, given how her employees and knights often ignored her words while still overprotecting her, it was clear she lacked authority when it came to handling subordinates.

On top of that, Ariette was essentially a loner at her workplace, and it probably wasn't much different when she was at the academy.

So it was only natural that she'd be afraid of dealing with people.

However, Letticia spoke firmly.

"Then for now, I'll act as co-representative. Let's learn together. I've never worked as a representative either, so let's just start from scratch as beginners."

"Beginners…"

"As I said earlier, all I did for Faymont was invest in it. Sure, I got involved in management a bit, but never beyond what an investor would. And don't assume I'm secretly gifted just because my family runs a jewelry business. The real management experts in my family are my father and my brother, end of story."

'If I had any real talent, would I have messed up my other investments like that?'

Letticia was brutally honest about her own capabilities.

Though she had a pointlessly optimistic nature, which is probably why she managed to mess things up in such a way before.

In any case, due to Letticia's persistent and unrelenting persuasion, Ariette hadn't completely given in yet, but she did seem to be wavering.

Letticia considered pushing for an answer but figured Ariette wouldn't decide right away, so she let it go for now.

After taking a sip of tea, Ariette finally replied.

"For now, I'll read more books and think it over carefully… I feel like I spoke too rashly earlier, and I'm sorry for that."

"No, it's fine. You need time to be sure, and we did dive into this business idea rather suddenly. Anyway, just know that the furthest I can compromise is being co-representative, so please think it through and let me know."

"Okay… I'll think about it seriously. And…"

This time, Ariette wore a truly apologetic and embarrassed expression. What she said next clearly warranted that look.

"This is really shameful and I feel terrible asking, but… would you be willing to come to our estate and help convince my father…?"

Letticia pressed her hand to her forehead. Ariette, realizing what she'd just said, looked flustered but didn't take it back.

"No matter how much I try, it doesn't work… I thought maybe if he heard a more objective opinion, he might change his mind… I-I promise I won't let him say anything rude to you! What happened last time will never happen again. I really mean it!"

"…I'll talk it over with Lady Eskis first."

That's what she said, but Letticia's instincts were already warning her.

She was going to get dragged into that Duke's household again.

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🍓; *It would be foolish to do all the hard work only to let someone else take the credit or benefit.