At the somewhat unconventional proposal, a look of surprise flickered across the head maid's stoic face.
"Are you saying that you will give the maids a share in addition to their wages?"
"Right. I’m thinking of paying the craftsmen 10 percent of the net profit, after deducting material and operating expenses. Since their compensation will increase the more of the fabrics they produce sell, won’t everyone be fiercely motivated?"
The head maid narrowed her eyes as if calculating the costs inwardly. While the proportion of one percent might not seem significant, the structure was such that the Grand Duke's household bore all costs, from purchasing raw materials to transportation and sales.
Under these circumstances, the very offer to share a portion of the profits with the hired servants was an exceptional proposal. After all, wasn't it common for even skilled artisans to receive only a fixed salary until they established their own businesses?
Furthermore, the maids were already receiving a fixed amount of money from the castle every week. There was no way anyone would refuse the opportunity to earn extra income by taking on just one more task during their set working hours.
The head maid finally nodded.
"Certainly, under such conditions, everyone would scramble to volunteer."
Thalia straightened her shoulders, inwardly relieved by the positive response.
"Okay. Then, pick out ten volunteers who are good with their hands."
"There are only two looms in the castle. Even if two people work on one, the other six will just have to sit around doing nothing."
The head maid immediately pointed out the flaw.
Thalia replied nonchalantly, as if she had expected the group.
"We can just bring in more looms. For now, you just select volunteers and teach them the skills."
The head maid, who had been touching the corners of her mouth with her brows furrowed, slowly nodded.
"Understood. Then I will gather volunteers. At the same time, I will send a message to His Excellency the Grand Duke to secure budget approval."
“That’s not possible!”
Thalia jumped up and shouted urgently.
"I intend to cover all the costs of this project from my dowry. So there is no need to inform the Grand Duke."
"However, from the cost of purchasing the loom to the cost of large quantities of raw materials, it will cost a considerable amount of money."
"Do you think I wouldn't even have that much money?"
Thalia, having snapped irritably, looked around the room and added solemnly.
"Keep this in mind. I intend to handle this as quietly as possible. Please be careful not to blabber on and let the word get out."
A faint doubt flickered in the head maid's eyes. She appeared unable to understand why Thalia was trying to keep this matter a secret.
Thalia did not bother to explain the circumstances. If she had made such a fuss and the business were to fail by any chance, she would become a laughingstock. Barcas would also think she was pathetic, and she had to prevent that from happening.
She deliberately held her chin high and continued speaking coldly.
"Does the Grand Duke really need to worry about a side business like this while he is away on the battlefield? It won't be too late to let him know later when the business grows, so everyone keep your mouths shut until then."
The head maid, who had been creasing her eyes as if trying to read her intentions, soon bowed her head.
"Understood. I will do as you command."
Then, with her skirt fluttering, she strode out of the room.
Thalia immediately sat down at the desk and began organizing the business plan.
Since she had already started, she wanted to finish it perfectly. If things went well, Barcas would see her differently. She knew that contributing a little to the finances wouldn't make up for all the mean things she had done to him, but she felt like she would still be able to face Barcas with a little more dignity.
Look at this, Barcas. I've been this much help to you. So, can't you pretend that everything I said to you before never happened?
Whoa. I didn't mean it when she said I didn't even want to see your face. The truth is, I'm so anxious and lonely without you.
Thalia, who had been writing down numbers for a while, suddenly stopped her quill pen.
It felt as if the words swirling aimlessly in her head had turned into sharp needles and were pricking jer heart.
She slowly raised her head and looked out the window. The civil war that had started in the north seemed endless, with a long series of back-and-forth battles continuing.
One consolation was the fact that Barcas was stationed on the border between the east and the north, rather than on the front lines. Being in an outer area did not guarantee safety, but at least it was better than being in the middle of enemy territory. In case of emergency, reinforcements could be dispatched immediately, and supplies could be supplied smoothly.
Thalia looked down at the ledger again with a determined expression.
There was no telling when the civil war would end. If only to lighten his burden, this project must succeed at all costs.
She dipped the tip of her quill pen generously in ink and calculated the approximate cost based on the market prices of the items she had identified during her inspections. Then, she selected the valuable items brought from the imperial palace and wrote them down on one side of the ledger.
She could have mobilized the finances of the Grand Duke's household, but she did not want to needlessly attract the attention of the retainers. After all, there was no telling what fault they might find to find a reason to criticize her.
Thalia let out a small snort and placed a jeweled headdress, a golden cup, unused silver tableware, and various handicrafts provided by the imperial court into a box. Disposing of just a few of these items would leave no shortage of money to acquire more looms and purchase yarn.
"I'm going out, so prepare the carriage."
As soon as the plan was completed, Thalia headed straight to the city.
Thanks to diligently looking around every corner of Kalmor over the past few weeks, it was not difficult to find a shop to sell the dowry.
She visited the most renowned goldsmith in the city and disposed of the jewelry she had brought.
Of course, she did not forget to ask that the fact of her transaction be kept strictly secret. After gathering the chest filled with gold coins, she went to find the carpenter renowned as the most skilled in Kalmor and ordered eight looms. Upon hearing the tight deadline, the carpenter looked hesitant. However, when he was presented with a heavy bag full of gold coins, he immediately changed his attitude and boasted that he would meet the deadline.
After signing a contract with the carpenter, Thalia headed to the wool market for the last time. She began to meticulously examine the raw materials. It seemed better to receive a supply of medium-quality yarn rather than purchasing the finest quality immediately. Even if she bought expensive raw materials, wouldn't it be difficult for novice weavers, who had only just begun learning how to weave, to produce goods worth their price given their skills?
It would be better to weave and sell cheap fabrics for now, and then buy top-quality yarn once the maids' skills have matured.
After visiting three or four shops and carefully examining the quality and market prices of the yarn, Thalia placed small orders with a few wholesalers and returned to the castle.
She intended to compare the goods from each supplier before entering into a long-term contract. She meticulously organized everything, even attaching the thread samples she received from each merchant onto the contract. Tiuran, who had been quietly watching her, muttered a remark that was hard to tell if it was praise or an insult.
"You handle things more cautiously than I expected. I understand the contract, but this is the first time I've seen you even bring product samples."
Thalia glared at her with a sulky look.
"Samples are essential. If you don't keep evidence like this, they'll just pocket the deposit later and swap the goods for cheap ones. But if you keep samples of the items promised at the time of the contract, they can't just switch them over arbitrarily."
"What audacious merchant in the world is planning to swindle the Grand Duchess of the East?"
"A scumbag would scam even the Emperor."
Thalia scoffed and said
"Humans will do anything when greed strikes. A naive Grand Duchess must look like the perfect target to rip her off. I have to nip them in the bud before they can pull any stunts."
A vague smile flickered across Tiuran's lips.
"Your Highness, your deep-seated distrust of people might actually be a useful quality for a merchant."
Thalia's eyes narrowed sharply at the biting joke.
"Stop talking nonsense and bring me a cup of herbal tea."
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