Chapter 430: Satisfaction

"Aunt, this isn’t wasteful spending. Brambleford has an abundant supply of glass, and there are many ways we can put it to use."

Simon smiled gently as he explained.

Once the glass workshop’s production techniques matured, its output would increase significantly. In fact, the workshop was already producing more glass than the current market could absorb.

However, Simon had deliberately held back some of his stock.

Flooding the market with glass would cause prices to collapse before he had a chance to establish a profitable industry. Instead, he intended to expand production gradually, allowing demand to grow alongside supply.

Once the market was ready, he could lower prices and make glass affordable to ordinary people, opening up an enormous new market while maximizing his long-term profits.

"An abundance of glass?"

Princess Lisa stared at him for a moment before letting out a helpless sigh.

She had initially assumed Simon was simply spending money recklessly. Now, she understood that he had a plan.

It was a business strategy she could appreciate. After all, she had employed similar methods in her own commercial ventures.

Looking at the hotel again, she couldn’t deny that the glass windows had transformed the entire building. What had once been an ordinary inn now possessed an elegance that rivaled the residences of wealthy nobles.

Changing the subject, Lisa said, "Cail told me that the inn was exceptionally comfortable. He even told the emperor that staying there was more pleasant than living in the imperial castle."

She glanced at Simon with curiosity.

"I’ve been wondering whether he exaggerated. Since I’ve finally come to Brambleford, I intend to see for myself."

Simon smiled confidently.

"Aunt, Minister Cail isn’t someone who makes such claims without reason. My only concern is that once you’ve stayed here, you won’t want to leave."

Princess Lisa rolled her eyes.

"You underestimate me. I’ve seen all kinds of luxuries in my life. Do you really think an inn can impress me that easily?"

With that, she led the noblewomen inside.

Simon had made special preparations for their arrival.

Knowing that Princess Lisa would be accompanied by thirty noblewomen, he had reserved thirty rooms on the top floor, ensuring that the entire party could stay comfortably.

As Lisa and the noblewomen entered the hotel, Simon exchanged a knowing smile with Elin.

Not long ago, Elin herself would never have imagined that an inn could offer such an extraordinary experience.

But after living there with Simon, she had grown accustomed to its comforts.

Ordinary accommodations no longer appealed to her.

Once someone had experienced a higher standard of living, returning to the old ways could be surprisingly difficult.

And Simon intended to make sure Princess Lisa and her companions experienced exactly that feeling.

***

Half an hour later, Princess Lisa emerged from her room with a completely different expression.

"Simon, I’ve decided to stay in Brambleford for a few more days."

She paused before adding brightly, "Also, I want you to recommend some suitable residences. I’m considering buying a property here."

Simon nearly laughed.

Seeing the hotel in person had accomplished what countless reports and rumors could not.

Lisa now understood why Minister Cail had praised the establishment so enthusiastically.

The rooms were clean, the furnishings were comfortable, and the facilities offered conveniences she had never experienced in the Eldorian Empire.

Every detail seemed designed to make a guest’s stay more pleasant.

Yet what captivated her most was the view.

She walked toward the window and drew the curtains aside.

Beyond the transparent glass stretched the bustling East Market. Merchants moved between their stalls, shoppers examined their goods, and the streets remained lively beneath the fading daylight.

The glass provided an unobstructed view of the city without exposing her to the outside air.

Lisa stood there for a while, enjoying the scene.

It was a simple pleasure, but one she found unexpectedly captivating.

"Aunt, are you thinking of settling in Brambleford permanently?" Simon asked.

Lisa turned toward him and nodded without hesitation.

"Why not? I’m tired of the dull life in the Eldorian Empire. Brambleford is far more interesting."

Simon laughed.

His plan had worked even better than expected.

Elin’s original goal had been to introduce her new women’s products to Princess Lisa and the other noblewomen. Simon, however, had recognized an additional opportunity.

If these wealthy women enjoyed their stay, why not persuade them to invest in Brambleford’s growing property market?

Their money could help finance the city’s continued development, while their presence would attract more merchants and wealthy visitors.

It was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to ignore.

"Aunt, ordinary residences might not meet your expectations," Simon said. "Why don’t you let me build you a special home instead?"

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

"A special home?"

"Exactly. I’ll design it according to your preferences and ensure that it’s even more comfortable than this hotel. You won’t have to worry about the cold in winter or the heat in summer."

He paused before adding confidently, "I guarantee that you’ll be satisfied."

Princess Lisa looked at him seriously.

"Are you certain? Will the furnishings be as good as those in this inn?"

"Absolutely."

Simon answered without hesitation.

Then his expression became slightly more serious.

"Of course, Aunt, as you’ve probably noticed, the furnishings and facilities here aren’t cheap. Building a residence to the same standard will require a considerable investment, so..."

Before he could finish, Princess Lisa snorted.

"What? Do you think I can’t afford it?"

She gave him a disdainful look.

"Hmph! Build the house. I won’t be short of a single silver coin."

Simon nearly burst out laughing.

That’s exactly what I wanted to hear!

Brambleford’s development required money at every turn.

The construction of twelve galleons and more than a thousand naval cannons had nearly drained his reserves. Although these investments were essential to strengthening Brambleford’s military power, they had placed enormous pressure on the prefecture’s finances.

After returning from Ashenford, Simon had asked Baldwin to show him the latest accounts.

The figures had been sobering.

During his stay in Ashenford, Simon had confidently promised to equip its army with new weapons and equipment. At the time, he had believed Brambleford could manage the expense without too much difficulty.

Now, he was beginning to understand the full scale of the problem.

Money wasn’t the only obstacle.

Brambleford lacked sufficient workers to carry out all its projects. Iron ore supplies were inadequate, saltpeter was in short supply, and sulfur was even harder to obtain.

The ambitious shipbuilding program alone had nearly pushed the prefecture’s finances to their limits.

Simon believed in prioritizing military development, but the consequences were becoming increasingly apparent.

Nearly eighty percent of the treasury’s silver was now being consumed by military expenditure.

When Baldwin first learned about Simon’s latest plans for new equipment, he had been so frustrated that he had nearly walked out of the room.

The prefecture’s financial administrator was running out of patience.

This was precisely why Simon had begun paying greater attention to commercial ventures.

Even his recent collaboration with Elin on women’s intimate apparel was part of a broader effort to increase Brambleford’s revenue.

The proposed residential development served the same purpose.

Simon wasn’t simply building houses. He was introducing the beginnings of a modern property market, one in which wealthy outsiders could invest their money while helping finance the city’s expansion.

And Princess Lisa had just volunteered to become one of his first major customers.

Seeing how readily she had agreed, Simon turned toward the other noblewomen.

"If any of you are interested, please let me know. I’ll arrange for the residences to be built simultaneously so that everything is ready by next spring."

He smiled.

"Imagine spending the spring in Brambleford, surrounded by beautiful scenery, while enjoying the comforts of your own home."

Several noblewomen exchanged interested glances.

The proposal was certainly tempting.

However, unlike Princess Lisa, most of them couldn’t make such a significant decision on their own. They would need to discuss the matter with their husbands before committing to a purchase.

Even so, Simon could tell that he had caught their attention.

Princess Lisa, meanwhile, had already decided to help.

"There’s no need for you to handle everything personally, Nephew. I’ll help you find interested buyers. Once I return to the empire, I’ll prepare a list of people who might want to purchase residences here."

Simon smiled broadly.

"Thank you, Aunt. That would be a tremendous help."

With Lisa’s connections, finding wealthy customers would be far easier than trying to attract them individually.

More importantly, every new residence would bring money into Brambleford’s treasury without requiring Simon to rely entirely on taxation or military spending cuts.

***

Princess Lisa and the noblewomen were thoroughly impressed by the hotel.

However, the real surprise came when dinner was served.

The moment the dishes arrived, their usual composure began to crumble.

These women were accustomed to elaborate banquets and the finest delicacies the empire could offer. They had expected Brambleford’s hotel to provide decent food, but none had anticipated such a remarkable dining experience.

The dishes were delicious, the ingredients carefully prepared, and the variety far exceeded their expectations.

Before long, even the most reserved noblewomen were reaching for their favorite dishes without bothering to maintain their usual dignified appearances.

Simon watched the scene with quiet amusement.

So much for noble restraint.

Among all the dishes, however, one proved especially popular.

Fried potato fries.

The noblewomen had never encountered anything quite like them. Their crisp texture and delicious flavor made them difficult to resist.

One serving led to another.

Soon, several women who had initially intended to eat only a little were reaching for more.

They had arrived expecting to evaluate Brambleford’s products.

Instead, Brambleford was steadily winning them over.

By the time dinner ended, Simon was confident that his guests had been thoroughly impressed.

The hotel’s comfortable rooms, transparent glass windows, delicious food, and lively surroundings had accomplished more than any formal sales pitch could have achieved.

He had allowed them to experience the advantages of Brambleford for themselves.

And that was far more persuasive than simply telling them how prosperous the city had become.

***

By the time the entourage had arrived earlier that evening, the sun had already begun to sink toward the horizon.

Now, with night falling over Brambleford, lanterns illuminated the hotel’s grounds. Their warm light spread across the entrance and surrounding pathways, making the entire establishment appear almost as bright as day.

Princess Lisa stood near the window, gazing at the illuminated city beyond the glass.

She had to admit that the hotel was remarkably comfortable.

The rooms were excellent, the furnishings luxurious, and the food exceptional.

Yet after considering everything, she suddenly turned toward Simon.

"The hotel is wonderful, and the food is exquisite. However, something still seems to be missing."

Simon raised an eyebrow.

"What’s missing, Aunt?"

"Entertainment."

Lisa sighed.

"After traveling such a long distance, I don’t intend to spend every evening sitting in my room. A place as interesting as Brambleford should have something enjoyable for its guests to watch."

Simon smiled as though he had been waiting for her to say those exact words.

"Since you’ve traveled all this way, how could I possibly overlook something so important?"

He clapped his hands.

Almost immediately, a troupe of performers entered the hall.

At their head was Ysabeau, who bowed respectfully before Princess Lisa and the assembled noblewomen.

Simon gestured toward the performers.

"Aunt, allow me to introduce Brambleford’s opera troupe. They’ve recently been rehearsing a famous production called The Romance of the Western Chamber. I thought you and the other ladies might enjoy watching it tonight."

Princess Lisa’s eyes brightened.

She had expected Simon to arrange comfortable accommodations and good food. She hadn’t anticipated that he would also prepare an evening of entertainment.

Looking at her nephew, she couldn’t help smiling.

"Simon, you’ve thought of absolutely everything."

She shook her head, half amused and half embarrassed.

"I hardly know what to say. You’ve made me feel as though I’ve come to visit a royal castle rather than a frontier city."

Simon merely smiled.

If a comfortable hotel, good food, and an opera performance are enough to impress you, Aunt, just wait until you see what Brambleford has in store for the future.

For Simon, this was more than an evening of entertainment.

Every satisfied guest was a potential customer. Every impressed noblewoman was a possible investor. And every new visitor who returned home with stories of Brambleford’s prosperity would help spread its reputation throughout the Eldorian Empire.

Tonight, Princess Lisa had come to see whether the rumors were true.

Simon intend to make her one of Brambleford’s most enthusiastic supporters.