Chapter 14
Chapter 14. What is Marketing (2)
If you grabbed just anyone in Britannia and asked 'Who is Bellaby Blancville?'
Ten out of ten would answer 'Britannia's greatest actress.'
Britannia's greatest actress.
This short sentence contained so much meaning.
Wealth and honor.
And attention.
Bellaby's every move became an object of interest and admiration.
Dress shops competed to recreate the designs of dresses she wore at balls.
The bracelet around her wrist became the premium collection that jewelry stores released under the name 'Bellaby Cut.'
Even a piece of chocolate she casually ate during filming became a topic of conversation, and books following her daily routine were published.
The attention toward her wasn't limited to the public.
Interest in Bellaby was always hot in social circles too.
Anyone thought they could raise their class just by decorating their gatherings with such a noble jewel.
If you combined just the invitations and letters that flew to her each year, she wouldn't have to worry about firewood for a lifetime.
Bellaby found this very bothersome, but those who sent invitations were still among the genteel ones.
Among the dozens of calls that came daily, there were many who trusted in their bloodline and authority to subtly suggest primitive demands.
[Tell her Albuterol.]
"...What?"
[If you tell Miss Bellaby 'Albuterol,' she'll understand.]
The manager only thought the caller hiding his identity was one of those disgusting types.
It was the manager's job to drive away such disgusting people, so she resolved to give him a sharp word and hang up.
"Albuterol? What kind of nonsense is that...."
But the moment the word 'Albuterol' flowed out during the conversation.
Bellaby, who had been lying on the well-lit sofa sprawled out as if everything in the world was bothersome, suddenly sat up.
"Let me take that."
"Ms. Bellaby! Why suddenly...! This person is a pervert!"
"Just give it to me for now!"
"But we don't even know who it is...."
"It's fine, so give it to me! And step out for a moment!"
Not only that, but she strode over and took the receiver.
The manager, bewildered but driven out to the terrace by her gesture to leave.
Through the frosted glass window, Bellaby's back could be seen as she took the call.
"What is it?"
Really, what on earth?
Bellaby during vacation was notorious for not being summoned even by Her Majesty the Queen.
Since she received attention that was originally too much to handle, she used vacation time to catch her breath.
It was already surprising that such a Bellaby took the call, but her appearance was different from usual.
It wasn't her showing perfunctory sociability.
She pressed her ear close to the receiver, twisted the phone cord with her fingers, and busily arranged her hair.
She looked restless somehow.
"Are you calling that talking right now?!?!"
The manager was startled by the sudden loud voice.
Opening the door carefully out of worry, she could overhear a bit more.
"No, you're going to use that for such a place?"
"After years of careful consideration, that's your conclusion?"
"Sigh... Would that really be enough?"
"...Fine. A promise is a promise."
From hearing only Bellaby's words, there was nothing to guess.
Just as the manager was about to listen more closely, click, the call ended.
Bellaby's long sigh followed the silence as she stood there in dismay.
Bellaby, who had been frowning and tap tap tapping her elbow with her fingertips, opened her mouth.
"Manager."
"Yes?"
"I think I need to go somewhere for a bit."
"Yes? Where to?"
"Nortaris."
"To Nortaris? Now?"
This place was a villa on Soltera's eastern coast, famous as a resort.
Meanwhile, Nortaris was way up in northern Britannia.
It was absolutely not a distance for Bellaby, who lived an extremely reclusive life during vacation, to go.
Moreover, considering that the reason she chose Soltera as her vacation spot was because she hated winter, even more so.
Wasn't Nortaris terribly cold there?
"Is it because of that call just now? Who on earth was that...."
"Don't even mention it. There's one very, very stupid person."
Bellaby speaking ill of others?
While going all the way to the northern end to fulfill a request?
Why on earth?
Had she been threatened?
The manager couldn't make sense of anything.
***
<Britannia's Jewel Comes to Proud Nortaris!>
As soon as that article decorated the front page headline of the morning newspaper.
Nortaris burst into flames, forgetting even the midwinter cold.
"Is Ms. Bellaby really coming?"
"That's right! She's staying in Nortaris for a whole week!"
"Ooh, finally to our Nortaris too...!!!"
There was a reason citizens showed such reactions.
Nortaris did an excellent job serving as Britannia's granary with the help of the Labyrinth Demon Realm.
But compared to its importance, the perception within the kingdom was strongly that of 'countryside' or 'borderland.'
It wasn't entirely groundless slander.
Nortaris was too cold because it was in the north.
Originally, the north was only responsible for the kingdom's food self-sufficiency and was less developed compared to other regions.
For that reason, Nortaris citizens had subtle feelings of inferiority.
Despite performing important roles within the kingdom, public perception was at the level of 'Isn't that just a refrigerator?'
This perception was more fatal to nobles than ordinary citizens.
Simply put, they were scratched harder.
It wasn't that Nortaris-born nobles lacked money.
They weren't particularly lacking in legitimacy either.
Yet when they went to other social circles, they were treated as minor league rural hick social circle origins, so how could their insides not burst?
In the midst of this, Britannia's top star!
Pushing aside all other regional social events!
Came to the Nortaris year-end charity event!
Where else could you find news that elevated the city's class like this?
"Spring is coming to Nortaris too!"
"Sob, it's been a long time of humiliation."
"This time it's really different!"
Some shed tears of emotion at the joyful news that washed away their long-held grievances.
"Our bank association pledges all support so Ms. Bellaby can stay comfortably."
"The merchant association will provide the finest products free of charge!"
"The Adventurers Union will select the best talent for security!"
Those with some power rolled up their sleeves and pledged unlimited support for Bellaby.
And there was someone who rejoiced at this news more than anyone.
It was Manager Ritz of 'The Richfield Hotel.'
"Miss Penelope! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Lady Bellaby has promised to stay at our hotel for a week!"
He, full of wrinkles, stamped his feet excitedly like a boy who had succeeded in a long-time crush.
The Richfield Hotel's legitimacy and high-quality service were beyond doubt.
However, Nortaris has been growing rapidly in recent years.
Accordingly, new hotels had sprung up like mushrooms after rain, challenging the throne of 'Nortaris's Number 1 Hotel.'
The general manager had been very concerned about this, even while pretending to be calm.
But now there was no need to worry!
No matter how great guys bragged 'We're the best, we're better,' you could end the game by saying 'But your hotel doesn't have Bellaby.'
"Congratulations, old man."
Penelope, who had been washing Cola bottles when summoned to Richfield, was indifferent even to this joyful news.
"Aren't you happy?"
"What do I have to be happy about?"
"Of course you should be! It will soon be your hotel. Our hotel's honor is your honor, isn't it?"
The Richfield Hotel was owned by the Rosemore Count Family.
When the ailing Count Rosemore died, it was scheduled to be inherited by Penelope, the family's second daughter.
"This hotel is mine? It'll be my sister's."
However, Penelope knew.
Penelope was merely a figurehead president.
It was a mirage-like position that would be replaced by other retainers if her sister showed even a small whim.
Manager Ritz straightened his posture seeing Penelope's bland response.
"I've watched both young ladies since childhood. The eldest miss doesn't truly hate you either, Miss Penelope. She simply prioritizes the family's interests."
"What to do? I hate my sister."
"Originally, don't sisters fight when they're young?"
Manager Ritz was a good person.
Even when Penelope received a judgment of 'not helpful to the family' and lost her father's trust, effectively being treated as invisible.
Only Manager Ritz treated Penelope the same as before.
The problem was that being too good a person, he thought everyone else was as kind as him.
"It's good news for Manager Ritz. Congratulations."
"I'll work hard so this celebration benefits the young miss too."
"Got it. Let's finish quickly."
Though she wanted to return to making Cola with Vic...
Nominally, Penelope was this hotel's owner.
If there was such a major agenda item, she had to approve it.
For Manager Ritz, who had managed Richfield Hotel his whole life, she intended to handle it properly.
"Give her the best suite. Escort her first class on the airship and we'll cover the costs."
"Yes, we did that as basic service, but Lady Bellaby's requirements were quite numerous."
"Give it to me? I'll look."
Penelope received the requirements that Manager Ritz had written down.
And was horrified at their abundance.
"All of these requirements?"
"Hehe, I'd heard rumors, but I didn't know she'd be such a difficult young lady."
"Even so, this is too much."
Use an entire floor and include individual reception rooms and dining spaces in the suite.
Keep the suite's internal temperature always at 26 degrees.
Lay the finest wool carpet so she can walk without indoor shoes.
Install a Clopet bathtub in the bathroom and stock bergamot, lavender, and orange blossom essential oils as bath additives.
Detailed requirements continued endlessly, so much that even the fastidious Penelope clicked her tongue.
"Two thick shower robes lined with Angora wool, cashmere blankets, a set of maids available 24 hours?"
"If you look, there's a bit more behind that."
"My goodness... Does she think she's some kind of tulip?"
The Richfield already had facilities and services to satisfy the most demanding nobles.
So she thought there'd be no particular worries, but looking at this, it seemed they'd have to completely tear out suites and start with new wallpaper.
Though she wanted to pull out appropriately, it would be awkward to pour cold water on Manager Ritz's anticipation.
Penelope, who had been swish swish signing, paused.
"Huh?"
The requirements she had barely reached near the end.
Do not include excessively oil-heavy foods in meals.
Prohibit any calls, visits, or knocks before 10 AM.
Among the demanding requirements including these.
There was one sentence heavily emphasized with asterisks.
Fill an ice bucket with ice and 6 bottles of Cola every evening after dinner.
"......"
Signs of extraordinary good fortune were rushing in like a storm.